Tag: LPP

State Medicaid Office Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

Member News
Carlos Jackson, federal lobbyist, Cornerstone Government Affairs.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened March 15 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation on Medicaid redetermination from Brian Keisling, director, Bureau of Medicaid Policy, Operations and Actuarial Services. The state is starting the renewal process this month for nearly three million Medicaid beneficiaries. Keisling discussed the approach they’re taking to review beneficiaries as part of the redetermination process and planned communications with beneficiaries whose eligibility will expire or renew.

Moving to action items, the panel recommended the MHA advocate for incentives that would support birthing hospital participation in Levels of Maternal Care.

In addition, the panel discussed issues around telehealth and the potential discrimination against living organ donors.

The panel received updates on other issues including a federal update from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs, hospital workforce funding, state budget negotiations and MHA efforts related to behavioral health.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

First Legislative Policy Panel Meeting of 2023

Member News
Bill Wortz and Frank Foster of Public Affairs Associates present to the Legislative Policy Panel.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened Jan. 25 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from MHA multi-client lobbying firm Public Affairs Associates on the new political landscape in Michigan. Managing Partner Bill Wortz and Partner Frank Foster recapped the recent election results, reviewed new legislative leadership and focused on the priorities of Democrats, who hold majorities in each chamber of the Michigan Legislature for the first time since 1984.

Moving to action items, the panel recommended the MHA support legislation to strengthen the Healthy Michigan Plan and remove provisions that are ineffective, administratively burdensome or create risk to the long-term viability of the program. The panel also recommended the MHA develop legislation to enable hospitals to bill and receive reimbursement for healthcare and other services provided to psychiatric patients awaiting behavioral health services.

In addition, the panel discussed Senate Bill 28, which seeks to enhance the definitions of and limit the use of seclusion and restraint, which was introduced by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing).

The panel received updates on other issues including a federal update from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs, state budget negotiations and a recap of last year’s lame-duck session.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Jase Bolger Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

Member News
Former State House Speaker Jase Bolger addresses members of the MHA Legislative Policy Panel.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened May 25 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from former State House Speaker Jase Bolger on the Michigan Legislative Term Limits and Financial Disclosure Amendment, which is on the November ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The initiative is a bipartisan effort that would change Michigan’s term limits and require financial disclosure from lawmakers. The proposed constitutional amendment would change term limits for state legislators from three two-year terms in the state House and two four-year terms in the state Senate to 12 combined years in the Legislature. It would also require state legislative and executive officials to file annual financial disclosure reports on their income, assets, liabilities, gifts from lobbyists, positions held in certain organizations and agreements on future employment.

Moving to action items, the panel recommended supporting Senate Bill (SB) 680, which would create a new section of the public health code to license and regulate supplemental nursing services agencies. The panel also recommended the MHA remain neutral on SB 812 that would create a registry of certain types of specialized laboratories in Michigan. Lastly, the panel recommended the MHA support House Bill 5477, which would establish kratom as a Schedule II substance and regulate the sale and distribution of the product.

In addition, the panel received updates on other issues at the state level, including the state fiscal year 2023 budget and potential legislation on the 340B drug pricing program.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.