The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched their Maternal Mortality Surveillance (MMMS) program, which is dedicated to preventing pregnancy-related deaths. The Hear Her Michigan Campaign focuses on empowering women and their support networks to know the urgent maternal warning signs and speak up when they have concerns.
According to MDHHS, more than 700 women die each year in the U.S. from pregnancy-related complications up to one year after giving birth. In Michigan, there are approximately 25 cases of pregnancy-related deaths each year. Of these deaths, approximately six out of every ten are preventable.
The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative that began in 2021 includes the expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage, the addition of Medicaid doula services and the implementation and expansion of evidence-based home visiting programs. The FY24 budget includes more than $68 million to expanding evidence-based services to improve outcomes by addressing inequity.
Members are encouraged to learn more about urgent maternal warning signs and discover ways to help. Members with questions should contact Carlie Austin at the MHA.
The release of the Michigan Senate and House Appropriations Health and Human Services Subcommittee budgets April 25 include broad investments in healthcare and specific investments advocated for by the MHA. The state budget is at a pivotal point in the process, as individual legislative chambers are releasing budget recommendations following the executive budget recommendation Feb. 8 by Gov. Whitmer. After the adoption of the legislative subcommittee budgets, the state House and Senate are expected to pass their individual chamber appropriations recommendations before preparing to negotiate a final conference budget. The MHA anticipates a negotiated budget passing in June.
The MHA advocated for the state to make a significant investment in maximizing Michigan’s federal Medicaid match. Each segment of the proposal presented a distinct opportunity to leverage federal funding in support of access to care and alleviating financial stresses on hospitals. Included in the proposal were increases in reimbursement for labor and delivery; inpatient psychiatric services; outpatient rates; and the creation of new funding to support Level I and II trauma centers. Overall, the MHA crafted a budget request that has the potential to produce significant funding investments in services that directly contribute to increased access to care for the state’s residents.
The Senate subcommittee responsible for the Department of Health and Human Services appropriations released their subcommittee budget with inclusion of approximately $40 million in funding to support Medicaid reimbursement increases in labor and delivery, inpatient psychiatric rates and outpatient services; and an additional $30 million in funding to support Level I and II trauma centers. Further, over $16 million in funding was allocated to MHA member hospitals to support opportunities for increasing access to behavioral health, rural access and capital improvements.
The House subcommittee included $60 million to support Level I and II trauma centers and $33 million to support an inpatient psychiatric reimbursement increase. In addition, the House included over $33 million to support MHA member hospital requests benefiting behavioral health, women’s health, pediatric access and capital improvements.
Both chambers also included significant funding to support the Gov. Whitmer’s Healthy Moms, Health Babies initiative. The legislature will now be tasked with combining their individual proposals into a cohesive final state budget. The MHA will continue advocating for increased Medicaid reimbursement as the budgets are consolidated, while supporting members in achieving success with individual priorities.
Questions on the budget can be directed to Adam Carlson at the MHA.
The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
Gov. Whitmer and her administration demonstrated their commitment to protecting hospitals and supporting healthcare workers with the release today of the 2024 executive budget recommendation. Not only does it continue to protect vital funding pools in the state budget, but also provides health equity resources and includes significant workforce investments that should help grow the healthcare talent pipeline.
Important items included in the state budget include support for rural and critical access hospitals, obstetrical services, graduate medical education, the Healthy Michigan Plan and Michigan’s Medicaid population. The investments to expand the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program and to implement recommendations from the Racial Disparities Task Force should help improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in care. The announced workforce development investments such as lowering the eligibility age for Michigan Reconnect are long-term strategies that should help fill the incoming talent pipeline as staffing challenges continue to impact hospitals and their overall patient capacity.
Actions like today show Gov. Whitmer is a healthcare champion and on behalf of Michigan’s hospitals, we thank her for helping Michigan advance the health and wellness of individuals and communities. The MHA is committed to working with lawmakers throughout the budget process to identify funding solutions that expand access to care, protect the viability of hospitals and assist healthcare workers.
