The Michigan House passed legislation related to third-party litigation financing, Medicaid prescription requirements and surgical smoke plume evacuation during the week of May 11. Lawmakers also introduced legislation related to behavioral health transportation services and prescription drug price transparency.
The House passed House Bill (HB) 5281, sponsored by Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford), which would establish new transparency requirements for third-party litigation financing. Currently, private equity and other investors may fund litigation against hospitals and other entities without disclosure requirements. The legislation would place limitations on those investments and increase transparency in the process. The MHA supports the legislation as it moves to the Senate for consideration.
The House also passed HB 4839, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport). The bill would require Michigan’s Medicaid program to prioritize generic and biosimilar drugs over brand-name medications when medically appropriate. HB 4779 also passed the House with immediate effect. The bill would require hospitals and health facilities that provide surgical services to install surgical smoke plume evacuation systems. Sponsored by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet), the legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Lastly, HBs 5943–5944 were introduced by Reps. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) and Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). The bills would establish a licensure structure for behavioral health transportation services in Michigan and require Medicaid coverage for those services. This legislation mirrors previously introduced Senate Bills 927–928. The MHA supports the legislation as it moves through the legislative process. HB 5941, sponsored by Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton), was also introduced. The bill would require pharmaceutical companies to report prescription drug costs to the state and disclose pricing data to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services before implementing significant price increases.
Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.