Tag: Health Policy Committee

Medical Residents Highlight Workforce Needs During 2025 GME Capitol Day

Member News
Trinity physician residents pictured in the Anderson House Office Building.
Trinity Health physician residents pictured in the Anderson House Office Building.

The MHA Graduate Medical Education (GME) Capitol Day welcomed more than 40 physician residents from a dozen member hospitals to the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center offices May 21 for a day of meetings with members of the Michigan Legislature and their staffs. Each group of residents met with a combination of lawmakers and legislative staff throughout the day, with conversations focusing on the importance of graduate medical education, physician residents in the healthcare continuum and Michigan’s future physician healthcare workforce talent pipeline. Residents also urged legislators to support bipartisan bills that protects healthcare workers from violence, to accompany Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023.

Meetings were held in the Michigan Capitol, the Anderson House Office Building and the Senate Binsfeld Office Building.

Participating lawmaker offices included:

  • Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), Chair, Health Policy Committee
  • Representative Rachelle Smit (R-Martin), Speaker Pro Tempore
  • Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Senate Majority Floor Leader
  • Representative Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Twp.), Chair, Regulatory Reform Committee

Residents used and shared with lawmakers an infographic that provides facts regarding GME.

Members with questions on GME and state legislation related to the healthcare workforce may contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Hearings Held on State Legislation Impacting Hospitals

Member News

Several bills impacting hospitals were discussed in state committee hearings during the week of Nov. 4.

The Michigan House Health Policy Behavioral Health subcommittee advanced several pieces of legislation to the full Health Policy Committee that intend to increase access to behavioral health services. House Bills (HBs) 5371 and 5372, led by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Rep. Phil Green (R-Watertown Township) adds Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) to the Social Welfare Act and requires the state to adopt a policy that is in alignment with the federal requirements for CCBHCs. The inclusion of CCBHCs in the Social Welfare Act includes a requirement that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) develop a prospective payment system for funding in compliance with federal payment policies, submit any necessary waivers to implement payments and requires certification of CCBCs that meet federal requirements. The MHA continues to be involved in the development of CCBHC certification and is working closely with the MDHHS to ensure rules and implementation that improve access to additional behavioral health sites of service in Michigan.

The subcommittee also advanced to the full Health Policy Committee HB 5785 (Rep. Brabec). The bill would change the requirements for individuals pursuing a limited license to practice psychology, including increasing the supervised post graduate experience necessary to practice and allowing individuals granted a limited license the ability to practice independently within their scope.

The Senate Labor Committee received testimony on Senate Bills 962 (Sen. Cherry), 975 (Sen. Singh), 976 (Sen. Cherry) and 981 (Sen. Cavanagh), which would modernize the state’s unemployment insurance practices. The legislation makes several changes at the request of the Unemployment Insurance Agency, as well as stakeholders, including the MHA. The changes adopted and discussed include requests from the MHA to address issues identified by hospital employers, concerns identified by employee groups and updates to the state law that address recent court interpretations. The committee did not take a vote on the bills, as a second hearing is anticipated.

Members with questions on state legislation can reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.