Several healthcare-related bills advanced in the Michigan Legislature during the week of June 22, including legislation addressing medical debt collections and behavioral health screenings.
The Michigan House voted in support of House Bills (HBs) 5254–5255 and 6071–6073, which would codify hospital financial assistance programs (FAPs), establish reporting requirements for FAP benefits and prohibit medical debt from being reported to credit bureaus. The legislation would also modify medical debt collection practices, including restrictions on the sale of medical debt and limits on interest charges. The bills have been referred to the Senate for further consideration. The MHA has not taken a position on this legislation.
The House Rules Committee took testimony on HB 6022, sponsored by Rep. Curtis VanderWall (R-Ludington). This legislation amends the Mental Health Code to allow contracted Medicaid Health Plans (MHPs) to operate pre-admission screening units to evaluate individuals needing mental or behavioral health services. Currently, pre-admission screening units may only be operated by Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs). The bill requires CMHSPs to complete a pre-admission screening assessment for Medicaid beneficiaries seeking mental or behavioral health services within three hours. If the CMHSP or MHP does not complete the assessment within that timeframe, clinically qualified hospital personnel may complete the screening.
This provision was recommended by the MHA Behavioral Health Integration Council. The MHA developed an infographic for lawmakers that illustrates the challenges Medicaid beneficiaries face when presenting to emergency departments (EDs) during a behavioral health crisis. The legislation seeks to improve access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries while reducing ED boarding times. The MHA supports this legislation and looks forward to further action by the legislature. The committee also advanced HB 4864, which would change the definition of elevated blood lead levels for lead abatement purposes. The bill seeks to prevent adverse health outcomes in children caused by lead poisoning.
The House Health Policy Committee also approved and referred HBs 5943–5944, sponsored by Reps. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) and Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). The bills would establish a licensure framework for behavioral health transportation services in Michigan and require Medicaid coverage for those services. HB 5943 has been referred to the House Rules Committee, while HB 5944 was referred to the full chamber. HBs 5728–5738, which would relieve hospitals of administratively burdensome and duplicative requirements for substance use disorder program licensure, were approved by the committee and referred to the House floor. Senate Bills (SB) 590 and 591 were also approved by the committee and moved to the House floor. The bills strengthen the state’s Good Samaritan Law to protect all individuals who act in good faith when applying bleeding control techniques in emergency situations. The MHA supports HBs 5943-5944, HBs 5728-5738 and SBs 590-591.
The House Health Policy Committee also advanced HB 5903, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar). The bill would provide psychiatric hospitals and inpatient psychiatric units with statutory authority to temporarily use a licensed inpatient psychiatric bed for either an adult or a minor. In doing so, the facility must remain compliant with safety, staffing and treatment requirements. This bill codifies operational flexibilities that help sites more effectively manage demand for psychiatric beds without triggering a certificate of need (CON) review. Although the committee adopted a substitute for the bill, the MHA continues to have concerns about provisions that would circumvent CON review and oversight.
The Michigan Senate voted unanimously in support of SB 1011, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores). The bill would create a small-business health pool, allowing employers with 500 or fewer employees to establish state-regulated multiple-employer welfare arrangements that provide health coverage for eligible employees and self-employed individuals. The Michigan House also supported HBs 4703–4704, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy). These bills require insurers and Medicaid to cover group prenatal services. The MHA-backed bills now head to their respective chambers for further consideration.
Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.