Michigan House Passes Important Medical Decisionmaker Legislation

The Michigan House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation Sept. 18 to establish next-of-kin designation, allowing certain family members of an incapacitated patient to make medical decisions on their behalf. House Bills 4418 and 4419, sponsored by Reps. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown) and Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), would update state law to recognize the essential role of family in medical decision-making when a patient cannot act on their own.

The MHA-supported legislation, which passed 98-0, now heads to the state Senate for further consideration.

Members with any questions related to the legislation may contact the advocacy team at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report June 16, 2025

Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation Clears House, Next of Kin Bills Advance

Legislation on the Nurse Licensure Compact and next of kin designations advanced in the Michigan House during the week of June 9. House Bill 4246, sponsored by Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington), passed the full …


MHA Testifies on Hospital Cost Drivers in House Insurance Committee

The MHA testified before the Michigan House Insurance Committee June 11 on healthcare cost issues affecting hospitals and communities across the state. Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, MHA and Elizabeth …


MHA Testifies on IMLC in House Health Policy

The MHA testified in support of Senate Bill 303 during a hearing in the Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee June 11. The legislation would reinstate Michigan’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). …


MDHHS Launches New Mental Health Framework

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching a new approach to mental healthcare under Medicaid as part of its MIHealthyLife initiative. The “Mental Health Framework” is designed to make care …


MHA Keystone Center to Support CMS’ Quality Improvement Program

Superior Health Quality Alliance (Superior Health) has been selected as the Great Lakes Region’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) to support the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 13th Scope of Work. As a member …


MiHIN in Negotiations to Sell Velatura Stake, Refocus Efforts on Michigan

The Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services (MiHIN), the state’s health information exchange, recently announced it is in negotiations to sell its interest in Velatura Public Benefit Corporation to Capernaum Investments. Velatura was established by MiHIN …


HHS Replaces ACIP Members, Future Vaccine Policy Unclear

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced June 9 the removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This independent body is comprised …


MHA Keystone Center PSO Hosts Cybersecurity and Regulatory Inspection Safe Table Events

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) hosted a safe table focused on Adapting Clinical Risk Management for Cybersecurity June 4 at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos. In partnership with MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q, the …


MHA Cybersecurity Communications Toolkit Available

A new MHA-member cybersecurity communications toolkit is now available to assist hospitals and health systems in preparing for and responding to a cyber incident. The available resources are focused on providing guidance in communicating with …


Keckley Report

The Hourly Workforce in Healthcare Deserves Attention

“Two government reports this week point to a familiar theme: healthcare employment is the backbone of the U.S. civilian workforce …

Arguably, their questions aren’t unique to hourly workers in healthcare: lower- and low-middle income employee cohorts in other industries feel the same. What’s unique to healthcare is the context: new technologies, new regulations, new transparency requirements, new ways of staffing and constant pressure to do more with less. Tension between workers and leaders in provider organizations is palpable—arguably more widespread than other industries in the economy. And human resource functions in these settings are understaffed and underfunded despite the mounting urgency of workforce issues since the pandemic. …

The hourly workforce in healthcare is important to its future. But most are worried about how to pay their bills at home and do a job with an uncertain future. These issues deserve attention.”

Paul Keckley, June 9, 2025


News to Know

MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled June 19 in honor of Juneteenth.


MHA in the News

The MHA received news coverage during the week of June 9 that included local TV news stories on the Michigan House of Representatives passing a bill that would have the state join the National Nurse …

Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation Clears House, Next of Kin Bills Advance

Legislation on the Nurse Licensure Compact and next of kin designations advanced in the Michigan House during the week of June 9.

House Bill (HB) 4246, sponsored by Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington), passed the full House by a vote of 57-52 June 11. The bill would add Michigan to the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing nurses to practice across state lines without the burden of obtaining additional licenses. For Michigan, joining the compact will help increase access to care, especially through telehealth services and support nurse recruitment and retention efforts. The MHA supports the legislation, which now heads to the Michigan Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee for consideration.

The House Judiciary Committee also approved HBs 4418 – 4419 June 11. The legislation, introduced by Reps. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown Township) and Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), aims to reduce barriers in the process of designating a next of kin for patients who are unable to make their own medical decisions.

Lastly, Senate Bill (SB) 371, sponsored by Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), was introduced during the week of June 9. SB 371 prohibits commercial insurers from placing a cap on coverage provided for inpatient psychiatric stays for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The MHA is supportive of this legislation.

Members with additional questions should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

MHA Testifies on Next of Kin Bills, Healthcare Legislation Advances

The MHA provided testimony to the House Judiciary Committee in support of next of kin care bills and healthcare legislation advanced during the week of June 2.

House Bills (HB) 4418 4419, introduced by Representatives Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown Township) and Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township), seek to reduce barriers in the process of designating a next of kin to inform medical decisions for a patient who is unable to make those decisions themselves.

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Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government & political affairs, MHA, provided testimony to the House Judiciary Committee in support of next of kin care legislation.

Currently, the process requires significant legal pursuit to obtain guardianship, which can be lengthy and places additional burdens on families during stressful scenarios. Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government and political affairs, testified in support on behalf of the MHA. The bills now await a full vote in the House Judiciary Committee before advancing further.

HB 4277, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), unanimously passed the House Health Policy Committee June 4. HB 4277 removes certain questions pertaining to mental health for physicians applying and/or renewing their license. The MHA is supportive of the bill, which has moved to the House floor for a full chamber vote.

Lastly, HB 4246, sponsored by Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington), passed through the House Rules Committee June 5. HB 4246 adds Michigan to the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement and allows for nurses to practice in multiple states without the burden of applying for additional licenses. For Michigan, joining the compact will help increase access to care, especially through telehealth services and support nurse recruitment and retention efforts. The MHA continues to support this legislation as it advances in the legislature.

Members with additional questions should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.