Tag: healthcare legislation

Healthcare Bills Advance in Michigan Legislature

Member News

Several healthcare-related bills advanced in the Michigan Legislature during the week of March 2, including proposals addressing medical debt, liability protections, organ donation incentives and workforce shortages.

The Senate Finance Committee advanced Senate Bills (SB) 701 and 702 on March 4. These bipartisan bills, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater), aim to change medical debt collection processes in the state, including restrictions on the sale of medical debt and limits on interest, among other provisions. The MHA continues to review and remains committed to engaging with legislators on opportunities to improve healthcare affordability. The bills now proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.

Also on March 4, the House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill (HB) 4582, which would restore the “open and obvious” defense for lawsuits. Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), the committee adopted a substitute that clarifies that property owners still have a duty to protect individuals from unreasonable harm. The MHA supports the legislation that moves to the full House for further consideration. 

The Senate Health Policy Committee unanimously approved SB 301 on March 4. Sponsored by Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), the MHA-supported legislation would provide a tax credit to employers whose employees take time off to serve as living organ donors. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

The House Health Policy Committee took testimony March 4 on HB 4832, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River). The legislation would create a state licensure process for anesthesiologist assistants to address state healthcare professional workforce shortages further. The MHA supports the legislation and encourages the committee to vote in favor of its passage.

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.

Notable Healthcare Legislation Clears House, Senate Committees

Member News

Legislation on physician assistant licensure compact agreements, international medical school graduates, hospital price transparency measures and medical debt collection advanced in the Michigan House and Senate during the week of Nov. 10.

In the House Health Policy Committee, lawmakers took testimony on Senate Bill (SB) 95, introduced by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater), which would codify federal hospital price transparency requirements into state law. Lawmakers from other states testified virtually to share perspectives on hospital price transparency efforts similar to SB 95. The MHA continues to work with committee members on this issue and supports tying SB 95 to bills that would create state-level protections for the federal 340B drug pricing program.

The committee also voted in support of House Bill (HB) 4925 and HB 4896, introduced by Rep. Phil Green (R-Watertown Township) and Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell), which creates a new pathway for certain internationally educated physicians to practice medicine in Michigan. After securing key amendments, the MHA supported this legislation in committee.

Further, the Michigan House voted in favor of HB 4857, introduced by Rep. Will Bruck (R-Erie), which would expand confidentiality and liability protections associated with critical incident stress management (CISM) services to any individual, rather than limiting them to emergency service providers. CISM services include critical incident stress debriefings, on-scene support, consultation and referral services. The MHA applauds the unanimous 108-0 House vote supporting individuals affected by traumatic workplace events.

In the Senate Health Policy Committee, lawmakers voted in support of HB 4309, SB 483, and SBs 449–451. HB 4309, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), adds Michigan into the physician assistant licensure compact agreement. SB 483, introduced by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), creates a palliative care task force in the state. Lastly, SBs 449-451 address medical debt collection efforts and requirements for hospitals and are sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater). The MHA supports HB 4309 and SB 483; and remains neutral on SBs 449-451.

Lastly, the Michigan Senate voted 33-3 in favor of  SB 443, sponsored by Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), which requires hospitals and health facilities that provide surgical services to create and implement a surgical smoke plume evacuation system. The bill will now move to the Michigan House for further consideration.

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.