Tag: HB 4520

MHA Monday Report Dec. 11, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

Healthcare Worker Safety Bills Signed into Law

Gov. Whitmer signed into law Dec. 6 House Bills 4520 and 4521, which increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer. Now referred to as Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023, the …

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Final Policy in Effect

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services recent policy for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities went into effect Dec. 1, 2023. Initially released for comment in May 2023, the MHA provided feedback on …

LARA Task Force on FTMPs Releases Report

In a response to the growing need for qualified healthcare professionals, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) released a comprehensive report aimed at addressing the challenges faced by Foreign Trained Medical Professionals …

MDHHS Releases Outpatient Hospital 340B Billing Final Policy

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a final policy to modify hospital outpatient billing requirements for drugs purchased through the 340B drug pricing program. Existing policy requires 340B hospitals to …

MHA Podcast Covers the Latest on Flu Vaccines and Pediatric Respiratory Illness in Michigan

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews each month with experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities. The December 2023 episode, …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyHealth System Chief Strategy Officer Roundtable Assessment: ‘The Near-Term is Tough, the Long-Term is Uncertain and the Deck is Stacked against Hospitals’

“CSOs know that hospitals are at a crossroad, particularly not-for-profit system operators accountable to the communities they serve. In the 4Q Keckley Poll, 55% agreed that “the tax exemption given not-for-profit hospitals is justified by the community benefits they provide”  but 45% thought otherwise. They concede their competitive landscape is more complicated as core demand shifts to non-hospital settings and alternative treatments and self-care become obviate traditional claims-based forecasting. They see the bigger players getting bigger: last week’s announcements of the Cigna-Humana deal and expansion of the Ascension-LifePoint relationship cases in point. And they recognize that their reputations are under assault: the rift between Modern Healthcare and the AHA over the Merritt Research ’s charity care study (see Hospital section below) is the latest stimulant for not-for-profit detractors. …”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 4, 2023

News to Know

  • The MHA welcomes ModusOne Health as a new Endorsed Business Partner and the only physician-founded and physician-run Clinical Diagnosis Improvement company that delivers robust monthly leaderboard-style reporting of provider accuracy in diagnosing patients on the conditions that most directly affect quality metrics and reimbursements.
  • Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and will resume its normal schedule Jan. 8.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 4 on a new law signed by Gov. Whitmer that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer, as well as stories on expanded …

Healthcare Worker Safety Bills Signed into Law

Member News
Gov. Whitmer signed House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer.

Gov. Whitmer signed into law Dec. 6 House Bills 4520 and 4521, which increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer. Now referred to as Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023, the financial fines are doubled for those found guilty of assault towards a healthcare worker or volunteer.

The bills were signed as part of a ceremony held at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. The MHA joined a variety of healthcare organizations in attendance to celebrate this positive step in ensuring violence against healthcare workers is not tolerated.

The new laws also require the posting of signage at hospitals to inform individuals they may be subject to higher financial penalties if they assault a healthcare worker or volunteer. The MHA has new, updated signage available for MHA members to order at no cost. Hospitals will need to post compliant, updated signage in a conspicuous location by March 4, 2024. Hospitals may create and use their own signage but must ensure any updated signs meet the requirements of the new laws.

A press release was published by the Executive Office of the Governor, which includes a quote of support from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

While celebrating this accomplishment, the MHA will continue to work on more opportunities to protect the healthcare workforce from violence in the workplace and to improve the recruitment, retention and training of healthcare workers.

Members with questions on any of the bills should contact Adam Carlson or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Healthcare Worker Protections Headed to Governor

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingLegislation increasing penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers was approved by the state House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote during the week of Oct. 30. The MHA-supported bills increase fines for assaulting a healthcare professional or volunteer, doubling the current fines for assault and assault with a deadly weapon. House Bills (HBs) 4520 and 4521 were introduced by Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) and Mike Mueller (R-Linden). A substitute adopted in committee expanded the care locations covered by the increased fines to include behavioral health facilities. Addressing violence against healthcare workers and deterring potential attacks continues to be an MHA priority. HBs 4520 and 4521 will now be transmitted to the Governor for her signature.

The House Health Policy Committee advanced legislation related to fetal and maternal health. HBs 5166-5173 propose several changes to state law specific to birthing parents and babies. Notably, several bills saw action in committee while stakeholders continue to work with the sponsors and committee chair on others. Several bills were approved by the committee and now move to consideration on the House floor by the full chamber:

  • HB 5169, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), would allow for mental health screenings in appropriate settings during the postpartum period. Based upon recommendations from the MHA Council on Children’s Health, the bill sponsor made several amendments to clarify timelines, recognize clinical guidance and provide flexibility in screening tools. The MHA is supportive of the amended bill.
  • HB 5172, sponsored by Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Walker), would establish a state program for recognizing birthing hospitals based upon their verification through the Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care. The MHA secured amendments to ensure the program is voluntary and to establish criteria to provide incentive payments to hospitals that pursue verification. The MHA supports the legislation.
  • HB 5173, sponsored by Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), would require hospitals to provide an informational form developed by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services on the insurance enrollment process for coverage of newborns. Hospitals would be required to provide the information to parents of a child born in the hospital when the child is not covered by insurance. The MHA is neutral on this legislation following alterations made by the bill sponsor.
  • HBs 5167 and 5168, sponsored by Reps. Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), allow for coverage of blood pressure monitors by commercial insurance and Medicaid for individuals who are pregnant or within the postpartum period. The MHA is supportive of this legislation.

The Senate Health Policy committee approved Senate Bill (SB) 482, sponsored by Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), which lifts the state’s 90 day disposal requirement on sharps containers. The MHA membership voiced concerns about the 90-day disposal requirement, sharing that it would lead to sealing and disposing of containers before they reached their ¾ fill mark. The FDA regulated containers can be costly and difficult to obtain, as hospitals experienced following a manufacturing facility fire, and further disposal of an underutilized container contributes to unnecessary and preventable medical waste. The MHA worked directly with Sen. McDonald Rivet on this legislation, based on the feedback of hospitals who shared concerns about cost, access and environmental impact. The MHA is supportive of this important policy change that will directly benefit the membership.

In addition, the Senate Health Policy Committee took testimony on SBs 633 – 637, which would allow Michigan to establish a state based health insurance exchange. 17 states and the District of Columbia currently operate state-based marketplaces and another three state have state-based exchanges that use the federal platform. Proponents argue the state exchange would provide more flexibility in state plan design and Medicaid enrollment, while concerns were raised about the cost of the program.  The MHA has not taken a position on the legislation.

Members with any questions may contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Protections for Healthcare Workers, Auto No-fault Bills Move in Michigan Legislature

Member News
capitol building

capitol building

Multiple bills monitored by the MHA moved in the Michigan Legislature during the week of Oct. 16.

Legislation increasing penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers was unanimously voted out of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee. The MHA-supported bills increase fines for assaulting a healthcare professional or volunteer, doubling the current fines for assault and assault with a deadly weapon. House Bills (HBs) 4520 and 4521 were introduced by Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) and Mike Mueller (R-Linden). A substitute adopted in committee expanded the care locations covered by the increased fines to include behavioral health facilities. Addressing violence against healthcare workers and deterring potential attacks continues to be an MHA priority. HBs 4520 and 4521 now move to the Senate Floor for a full chamber vote.

MHA supported bills to improve Michigan’s Amended Auto no-fault laws were passed by the full Michigan Senate in a bipartisan vote. Senate Bills (SBs) 530 and 531, introduced by Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), would simplify and increase Medicare hospital reimbursements, clarify the definition of Medicare and create a new post-acute care provider fee schedule. The MHA’s executive vice president of government relations and public policy, Laura Appel, testified in committee last week. Appel stressed the importance of a strong healthcare system to care for auto accident patients. The bills now move to the House for their consideration.

Senate Health Policy took testimony on SB 482, sponsored by Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), which lifts the state’s 90 day disposal requirement on sharps containers. The MHA membership voiced concerns about the 90-day disposal requirement, sharing that it would lead to sealing and disposing of containers before they reached their ¾ fill mark. The FDA regulated containers can be costly and difficult to obtain, as hospitals experienced following a manufacturing facility fire, and further disposal of an underutilized container contributes to unnecessary and preventable medical waste. The MHA worked directly with Sen. McDonald Rivet on this legislation, based on the feedback of hospitals who shared concerns about cost, access and environmental impact. The MHA is supportive of this important policy change that will directly benefit the membership.

The governor also signed into law several bills intended to codify Affordable Care Act protections at the state level. House Bills 4619 – 4623 and Senate Bills 356 – 358 were signed by Gov. Whitmer on Oct. 19. The MHA is supportive of the package, which has been passed in at least 15 other states and would protect Michigan consumers in the event there were future amendments or judicial changes to the current federal law.

Members with any questions may contact Elizabeth Kutter.