The Senate Health Policy Committee voted in support of legislation related to treating patients with opioid use disorder, while the House Health Policy advanced the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) bill during the week of June 23.
Senate Bills (SB) 397–405 were voted out of the Senate Health Policy Committee with recommendation to the full Senate chamber. Collectively, these bills make numerous changes to improve coverage and access for Michiganders to receive treatment for opioid use disorders.
Additionally, the Senate Health Policy Committee heard testimony on House Bills (HB) 4103–4104, sponsored by Reps. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township), which would add Michigan into the occupational therapist licensure compact agreement. HBs 4101 and 4380, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), was also considered by the committee and would add Michigan into the physical therapist licensure compact. Also, the committee advanced SBs 414–415, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Groveland Township), which would require insurer and Medicaid coverage of group prenatal services. The MHA supports HBs 4103-4104, 4101, 4380, and SBs 414-415.
SB 303, sponsored by Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Mount Pleasant), renews Michigan’s agreement in the interstate medical licensure compact was unanimously voted through by the House Health Policy Committee. The bill now moves to the House Rules Committee for further consideration. The committee also heard testimony on HB 4509, sponsored by Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville), which adds Michigan to the audiologist and speech-language pathologist licensure compact. HB 4591, sponsored by Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton), similarly adds Michigan to the professional counselor licensure compact. The MHA also supports SB 303, HB 4509 and HB 4591, and looks forward to their continued movement in the legislature.
Members with additional questions should contact the MHA Advocacy Team.
The Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation during the week of Oct. 27 to add the state to the speech-language pathologist (SLP) and audiologist licensure compact, as well as the professional counselor licensure compact.