The Michigan Legislature passed more than 65 policy bills, including several healthcare-focused measures, as part of the state budget negotiations during the week of June 30.
Several healthcare bills advanced from the Legislature to the governor’s desk during fiscal year 2026-27 budget negotiations. None of the healthcare-related bills that advanced to the governor’s desk were actively opposed by the MHA.
MHA-supported legislation that passed includes the following:
- HB 4101, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), creates a physical therapist (PT) licensure compact in the state.
- HB 4103, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), creates an occupational therapist licensure compact in the state.
- House Bill (HB) 4309, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), establishes a physician assistant licensure compact in the state.
- HBs 4805 and 4808, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford), make changes to the Children’s Trust Fund in Michigan. HB 4805 increases the annual disbursement cap to 8% for expenditures under the Children’s Trust Fund. HB 4808 amends the Open Meetings Act to allow the Board to meet electronically under any circumstances, including those requiring accommodation for absent members.
- SB 301, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), provides tax credits to eligible employers whose employees take time off to serve as living organ donors.
- SB 415, sponsored by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Groveland Township), requires Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care services.
- Senate Bill (SB) 501, sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), authorizes and establishes a $90 license fee for a physical therapist seeking to practice under the PT compact.
Other bills the MHA monitored were passed, including:
- HB 4779, sponsored by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet), requires health facilities and agencies to develop and implement surgical smoke evacuation policies and systems during procedures likely to generate a surgical smoke plume, beginning one year after the bill takes effect.
- HB 5249, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), establishes a new type of ambulance operation license called an “ambulance operation adaptive care license.” The license would allow certain basic life support ambulance services to provide limited advanced life support when equipped with appropriate staff and resources to safely provide that higher level of care.
- SB 716, sponsored by Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren), reduces the time that the Board of Pharmacy must determine a controlled substance’s schedule after a federal designation, rescheduling, or deletion from 91 days to 60 days.
In addition to these healthcare bills advancing to the governor’s desk, there was no legislative action on the Hospital Cost Review Board or Healthcare Consolidation Prevention Act proposals during the week. Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.
