Tag: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Legislation on Maternal Healthcare Access and Preserving Healthy Michigan Plan Coverage Becomes Law

Member News

Gov. Whitmer signed several bills Jan. 21 aimed at improving maternal healthcare access, equity and outcomes, as well as preserving eligibility for those under the Healthy Michigan Plan. The MHA worked extensively with bill sponsors during the 2023-24 legislative term to share feedback and make language changes reflecting the importance of increasing access to care and improving equitable health outcomes, while maintaining essential partnerships with hospitals across Michigan.

Public Act (PA) 252 of 2024, sponsored by Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), creates a licensure structure for freestanding birth centers. The MHA worked closely with the bill sponsor to incorporate changes allowing for hospitals to be valued collaborators and important partners with birth centers. These changes include allowing a hospital to own a birth center, requiring partnership and notification of a hospital and ensuring licensure structure in the state protects individuals that choose birth centers for their care.

PA 256 of 2024, sponsored by Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren), creates a doula scholarship program awarding one-time scholarships of up to $3,000 for Michigan residents seeking to become a doula. The MHA supported this legislation.

PA 244 of 2024 and PA 245 of 2024, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), respectively, require coverage of blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum women. The MHA supported these bills throughout the legislative process.

PAs 246, 247, 248, 249 and 250 of 2024, sponsored by Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), Carol Glanville (D-Walker) and Kara Hope (D-Holt), respectively, create a multitude of changes in accessing maternal healthcare. The MHA worked extensively with the sponsors of each of these bills to address maternal health screenings (PAs 246 and 247), maternal levels of care (PA 249) and newborn insurance enrollment (PA 250). The MHA supported this legislation following changes that allow hospitals to address maternal health needs and effectively serve pregnant and postpartum individuals.

PA 251 of 2024, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), eliminates the requirement that regular breast milk donors be tested every three months for HIV. This legislation maintains initial screening requirements as it relates to breast milk donations, while removing unnecessary barriers for both donors and hospitals. The MHA supported this legislation.

Lastly, PA 253 of 2024, also sponsored Rep. Rogers, removes workforce requirements under the Healthy Michigan Plan. A U.S. District Court issued a decision in 2020 invalidating Medicaid work requirements in Michigan. The MHA was relieved by this previous ruling and therefore supportive of this legislation codifying the court’s decision. With this legislation enacted, tens of thousands of Healthy Michigan Plan recipients can continue to receive coverage, allowing hospitals to continue to provide preventive care and help improve health outcomes for patients under this plan.

In addition to the slew of bills signed that impact maternal and infant health, as well as Medicaid recipients, the Michigan House of Representatives acted on the first bills introduced in the 103rd Legislature. After swift action last week in the House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses, the chamber voted 67-38 to adopt House Bill (HB) 4002, sponsored by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay). The legislation makes important clarifications to the voter initiative petition on earned sick time that is scheduled to go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. HB 4002 provides vital clarifications regarding time accruals, employee notice provisions, sick time pay rates and exempts independent contractors and part-time employees. The MHA will continue to support this legislation as it moves onward to the Senate.

Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Governor Signs FY 25 Budget and FY 24 Supplemental

Member News

Gov. Whitmer signed the fiscal year (FY) 2025 state budget on July 24. The budget proposal fully funds the Michigan Medicaid program, including significant increases to provider-funded Medicaid reimbursements in FY 24 and 25. The budget also includes a new, $8.3 million investment to support peer recovery coaches in hospitals to enhance substance use disorder services.

Additionally, the agreement provides necessary resources to assist hospitals in advancing the health of individuals and communities throughout Michigan. This includes:

  • Maintaining funding for the Healthy Michigan Plan.
  • Preserving outpatient Medicaid rate increases achieved during prior budget cycles.
  • Continuing funding for the rural access pool and obstetrical stabilization fund.
  • Investing an additional $10 million in maternal and infant health programs at hospitals.
  • Establishing a new, $9 million nursing loan repayment program.
  • More than $31 million in additional, direct hospital appropriations.

A statement on the passage of the budget was also published by MHA CEO Brian Peters June 27. The MHA will continue to advocate the state use portions of the funding to provide the resources necessary for hospitals and health systems to care for all Michiganders.

Members with questions on the state budget may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Governor Signs Telehealth Parity & Behavioral Health Licensing Clarification Bills

Member News

Gov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of June 3 related to telehealth services and behavioral health licensing. House Bills 4131, 4213, 4579 and 4580 (now referred to as Public Acts 51 – 53 of 2024) establish payment parity for telehealth services and protections for telemedicine access through Medicaid and state regulated insurance products. The bills support a provider’s ability to serve patients and protect in-person visits that are vital to health outcomes.

Public Act 50 of 2024 (originally Senate Bill 227), sponsored by Sen. Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway), was supported by the MHA and updates the state’s child caring institution licensing laws to align with emergency intervention language used in the Mental Health Code. Specifically, this legislation is important to any facility interested in becoming licensed as a Pediatric Residential Treatment Facility and creates additional alignment between the Mental Health Code and the licensing structure for child caring institutions.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Executive Budget Supports Healthcare, Other Legislative Action

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingGovernor Whitmer and Budget Director Jen Flood released the executive budget recommendation Feb. 7 for fiscal year 2025. The MHA is pleased to see that the Governor’s budget continues vital funding for Medicaid, rural and critical access hospitals, obstetrical services and the Healthy Michigan Plan. Supporting Michigan’s Medicaid program will help maintain access to care for underserved populations throughout Michigan. Additionally, the MHA looks forward to seeing proposals to increase funding for behavioral health services and continued resources dedicated to maternal and infant health.

Hospitals and health systems continue to face significant workforce shortages and  Gov. Whitmer’s proposed budget for next fiscal year will assist with workforce shortages through investments for tuition-free community college pathways for Michiganders and continued funding for the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides tuition-free programs in high-demand healthcare credentials.

MHA CEO Brian Peters released a statement in support of the executive budget recommendation, applauding Gov. Whitmer’s commitment to being a healthcare champion.

While the Governor’s budget recommendation was by far and above the highlight of the week, the state legislature also moved forward several MHA supported bills. The House Health Policy Committee voted on a package of bills, House Bills (HBs) 4532, 5368 and 5369, to address childhood lead exposure. The MHA supported HB 5368, sponsored by Representative Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), which alters the definition of elevated blood level to reflect significantly lower blood lead level concentrations. Lowering the concentration in state law allows for earlier intervention and triggering of support and services for kids who are exposed to lead.

The Senate Health Policy committee took testimony on MHA supported legislation regarding telehealth access. HBs 4579, 4580, 4131, and 4213, sponsored by Reps. Natalie Price (D-Berkley) Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor), Tullio Liberati (D-Allen Park) and Christine Morse (D-Kalamazoo), All aim to ensure that telehealth access continues to be robust and reimbursed, especially now that pandemic era flexibilities are rolling back. Access to care across multiple platforms helps patients meet their healthcare needs. The MHA supports maintaining robust access to telehealth services and reimbursement for services rendered.

In addition, the House Insurance Committee took testimony on House Bill 4015 sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor). HB 4015 limits the co-pay for prescription insulin. The MHA joined other stakeholders, including the American Diabetes Association, to support this legislation, which will positively impact the affordability of insulin for Michiganders.

Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.