The Michigan House and Senate continued their work on the healthcare reform and Certificate of Need (CON) packages during the week of March 22. The House Health Policy Committee also took initial testimony on legislation to increase the state’s emergency personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile and classify etizolam as a Schedule 1 narcotic.
The House’s healthcare reform package, which includes House Bills (HBs) 4345 through 4359, intends to lower prescription costs, expand the scope of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), allow for out-of-state telehealth services and more. The House passed the entire package March 24 and referred it to the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee. The MHA has supported HBs 4351, 4352 and 4359 and is opposed to HB 4355 as written.
The Senate’s CON package, including Senate Bills 181, 182 and 183, would make several changes to the CON program. The proposed reforms would increase the threshold for capital expenditures, increase the number of members on the CON Commission, remove air ambulance services from CON and remove psychiatric beds from CON oversight in certain situations. The package was passed by the Senate and referred to the House Health Policy Committee. The MHA opposes the package as written.
The House Health Policy Committee also took initial testimony on HBs 4087 and 4089. HB 4087 was introduced by Rep. Jeff Yaroch (R-Richmond) and would make changes to increase the state’s emergency stockpile of PPE. HB 4089 was introduced by Rep. Sue Allor (R-Wolverine) and would classify etizolam as a Schedule 1 narcotic. Etizolam is a derivative of thienodiazepine and is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical use in the United States. The MHA did not take a position on either bill.
For more information on state legislation, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.