Budget proposals from the House and Senate advanced in their respective chambers, while MHA-supported legislation saw action during the week of April 20.
House Bill (HB) 5619, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), passed the Michigan House April 22. The bill contains all state funding for fiscal year 2026-27, including the budget for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Within the MDHHS portion, the bill includes:
- Full funding for Medicaid, except for a reduction of $300 million in unspecified savings
- Recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or administrative barriers
- Specialty Network Access Fee funding
- Support for rural and obstetrics stabilization pools
- Funding for Maternal Levels of Care verification
- $22 million and additional state employees to implement Medicaid work reporting requirements as required by H.R. 1
- Language encouraging timely allocation of Rural Health Transformation funds
The Senate advanced its MDHHS budget under Senate Bill (SB) 857, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). Key highlights of the bill include:
- Full funding for Medicaid
- Recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or administrative barriers
- Specialty Network Access funding
- Support for rural and obstetrics stabilization pools
- Funding for Maternal Levels of Care verification
Unlike the governor’s executive recommendation and the House proposal, the Senate plan does not include unspecified Medicaid savings. Instead, it identifies funding through caseload adjustment savings, Most Favored Nation drug pricing savings, and other efficiencies. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed this bill out of committee to the full Senate on April 23.
The MHA will continue working with lawmakers to ensure the final product maintains support for hospitals, providers and patients.
In addition, the Senate approved SB 301. Sponsored by Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), the MHA-supported legislation would provide a tax credit to employers whose employees take time off to serve as living organ donors. The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
Senate Bills (SB) 590 and 591 were taken up for testimony in the House Health Policy Committee. The bills would strengthen the state’s Good Samaritan Law for all individuals acting in good faith when applying bleeding control techniques in emergency situations. SB 590 and SB 591 are sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Sen. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes), respectively. The MHA supports this legislation.
Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.