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.