Several MHA-tracked bills received testimony and votes the week of Sept. 18 as the state legislature continues its fall calendar.
The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony and voted on the Reproductive Health Act bills. These bills were reported out of committee largely on party lines but with one member of the Democrat Caucus opposing the legislation. Representative Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) voted in opposition to the bills and voiced concern that the state should be focused on supporting senior citizens. The MHA continues to monitor this legislation and will share updates throughout the legislative process.
The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee took testimony on Senate Bills 483, 484 and 485, introduced by Senators Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), and Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe). The bills, taken together, create the Prescription Drug Advisory Board (PDAB) and stakeholder council. The PDAB is charged with and intended to review drug costs, assess cost impacts on consumers, and ultimately create opportunities for reducing consumer expenditures on drugs through the creation of upper payment limits (UPLs).
If the PDAB were to institute a UPL on a drug based on a review of the drug’s increased cost and impact on consumer access, a purchaser or payer would be prohibited from purchasing, billing or reimbursing above the set UPL. The MHA is supportive of opportunities to reduce prescription drug prices for consumers, including hospital purchasers, and continues to work with the sponsors and leadership on these bills to ensure hospital purchasers are fully recognized and supported. The MHA has not taken a formal position on this package of bills.
The Senate Labor Committee voted out Senate Bill 171, sponsored by Senator Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). The bill repeals the local government labor regulatory limitation act, which prohibits localities from regulating employment relationships. Specifically, repealing the legislation would allow for a local unit of government to institute things like a higher local minimum wage than the state, or potentially institute local staffing and scheduling regulations. The MHA, and a coalition of other business and employer groups, oppose this legislation.
Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.