Tag: HB 4104

MHA Member Provides Testimony to House Health Policy Committee; Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Bills Clear Committee

Member News

The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony from stakeholders on legislation to establish a Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact in the state and Occupational Therapy (OT) Licensure Compact bills were voted to the House floor during the week of April 14.

Mandy Shelast, president, Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson provided testimony on zoom in support of the PA Licensure Compact.

House Bill (HB) 4309, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), would add Michigan into the PA Licensure Compact, which is an interstate licensure compact allowing PAs to practice in other states participating within the compact. Other states that belong to the compact include Ohio, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, Tennessee, Maine, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, Montana and Washington. MHA member Mandy Shelast, president, Marshfield Medical Center- Dickinson, provided testimony in support of the legislation and shared how the compact would address specific logistical barriers in access to care at her facility in the Upper Peninsula.

HB 4103, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and HB 4104, sponsored by Rep. Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township), were reported with recommendation to the House floor. These MHA supported bills create a licensure compact agreement for occupational therapists in the state. The MHA looks forward to continued movement on these bills that seek to improve workforce development and access to care.

Members with additional questions may reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Senate Hears MHA Testimony on Medicaid; Licensure Compact House Bills Advance

Member News

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) heard testimony from the MHA on Medicaid funding and various licensure compact bills advanced in the House during the week of March 17.

The MHA provided testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee of the DHHS in regard to recent federal funding threats to Medicaid. Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, MHA, shared how recent federal proposals could be devastating to patients, providers, hospitals and communities while leaving the state responsible for several billion dollars’ worth of funding. Carlson noted that Michigan Medicaid is the single largest payer for long-term care, maternity care and mental health services. Dr. Phillip Rogers, chair of Family Medicine at Michigan Medicine, further illustrated the importance of the program by sharing powerful patient stories. The MHA will continue to collaborate with lawmakers on this issue and oppose any efforts at the federal level that threaten Medicaid funding.

A number of bills related to licensure compact agreements advanced in the state House. House Bill (HB) 4101, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), and HB 4102, sponsored by Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), received testimony in the House Health Policy Committee on March 19.

The bills, collectively, create a licensure compact agreement for physical therapists in the state of Michigan. In addition to this, HB 4103, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), and HB 4104, sponsored by Rep. Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township), also were part of the committee hearing. Similarly, these bills create a licensure compact agreement for occupational therapists in the state. Finally, HB 4246 was introduced by Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) and referred to the House Health Policy Committee. This legislation creates the interstate nurse licensure compact to help strengthen our workforce and enhances patients’ access to care. The MHA supports the aforementioned bills and looks forward to further action.

Members with additional questions may reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.