Tag: SB 219

Governor Signs MHA Supported Legislation and Announces Round of GoingPro Awards

Member News
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capitol buildingGov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of July 17 related to the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP), organ donation and vaccine distribution. Those bills include:

  • House Bills 4495–4496 (Public Acts (PAs) 98-99 of 2023), sponsored by Reps. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) and Graham Filler (R-DeWitt), make important updates to the HMP, Michigan’s expanded Medicaid. The program will no longer include cost sharing requirements that have proved to be exceedingly burdensome. Further, the statute no longer includes language allowing for the program to be summarily abandoned if state costs exceeded state savings. The HMP has allowed for increased access to healthcare throughout the state, providing coverage for over a million Michiganders.
  • House Bills 4362, 4363 and 4364 (PAs 100-102 of 2023), sponsored by Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor), Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Natalie Price (D-Berkley), include the option for individuals to denote their organ donor status when filing state income taxes. Over 103,000 individuals nationwide are waiting for organ donations, including approximately 2,300 Michiganders. These policies will increase opportunities for residents of the state to opt-in to organ donation. Increasing the number of people on the organ donation list benefits those in need while also supporting long term organ availability.
  • Senate Bill 219 (PA 97 of 2023), sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), allows pharmacists to order and administer qualifying vaccines and lab tests independently. Michigan continues to seek ways to increase vaccination rates. State solutions like SB 219 allow Michigan to support additional access points. The law allows a pharmacist to order and administer vaccines and lab tests in certain circumstances without the supervision of a physician, following completion of approved training.

In addition to signing important healthcare legislation, Gov. Whitmer announced $13.5 million in GoingPro awards, with several MHA members receiving funds to support upskilling and retooling team members. GoingPro launched in 2014 and allows employers to apply for grant funding to support their employees in earning industry-recognized credentials. Over 8,500 employees across the state have benefited from the program and this recent round of grant awards included nearly $750,000 for hospitals. The MHA continues to support Gov. Whitmer’s recognition of hospital workforce needs and her dedication to growing the state’s talent pipeline.

Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Policy Committees Continue Work Amid Budget Negotiations

Member News
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capitol buildingSeveral MHA-tracked bills were reported the week of June 19 from their respective policy committees. The bills address violence against healthcare workers, scope of practice for pharmacists, dietician licensure, behavioral health and the Healthy Michigan Plan.

In the House Criminal Justice Committee, House Bills (HBs) 4520 and 4521, introduced by Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) and Mike Mueller (R-Linden), were voted out of the committee unanimously. The MHA-supported bills increase fines for assaulting a healthcare professional or volunteer, doubling the current fines for assault and assault with a deadly weapon. Addressing violence against healthcare workers and deterring potential attacks continues to be an MHA priority. HBs 4520 and 4521 now move to the House Floor for a full chamber vote.

In the House Health Policy Committee, a vote was held on a bill introduced by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) that would increase access to vaccines and certain laboratory tests. Senate Bill (SB) 219 would allow pharmacists to order and administer immunizations and certain diagnostic tests for their patients without physician supervision. Under the current language, pharmacists wishing to provide these services must also complete some additional training courses as part of their licensure process. The MHA is supportive of SB 219, which now heads to the House Floor for further consideration.

Legislation to create a licensure process for Michigan dieticians also saw action in House Health Policy. HB 4608, introduced by Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), would create a new license for individuals seeking to provide medical nutrition therapy in Michigan. Establishing the new license will help ensure access for Michigan patients by increasing opportunities for dieticians to be reimbursed for the services they provide. The MHA is supportive of the bill, which was reported to the House Floor with recommendation that it pass.

In the House Committee on Insurance and Financial Services, a vote was held to report legislation intended to increase insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorder services. HB 4707, introduced by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), would require coverage of medically necessary behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment, with the intent to encourage expanded access to much needed services. More specifically, the bill would require coverage for out-of-network and emergency services and set limitations to prior authorization and utilization review requirements. The MHA has been closely monitoring HB 4707, working with proponents and stakeholders alike. The bill now awaits a full House Floor vote.

In the Senate Healthy Policy Committee, a vote was taken in support of legislation to improve the Healthy Michigan Plan. HBs 4495 and 4496, introduced by Reps. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns) and Will Snyder (D-Muskegon), would eliminate unnecessary provisions in the Healthy Michigan Plan and make changes to help ensure its long-term success. The package would remove requirements that certain beneficiaries maintain Health Savings Accounts and pay co-pays or deductibles. Additionally, the bill removes the provision that a future administration could repeal the program if state savings are reduced. The MHA is supportive of both bills, which now await action on the Senate Floor.

Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA for more information.

Healthcare Policy Bills Advance from Legislative Committees

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Several bills tracked by the MHA saw further action in the Michigan Legislature the week of April 17. Committees in the House and Senate took votes on bills to create a new tax credit for blood donations and to allow pharmacists to order and administer certain immunizations and diagnostic tests in Michigan. The MHA also supported legislation in the House Health Policy Committee that would allow citizens to designate themselves as an organ donor on their tax filing and require drug manufacturers to report certain data and information on price changes to the state.capitol building

The House Committee on Tax Policy held a second hearing on House Bill (HB) 4068, which would create a new tax credit for blood donations in Michigan. Introduced by Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), the bill would allow for a $25 state income tax credit for each blood donation during the tax year. The MHA is supportive of the bill, which is a unique way of encouraging good public health decisions in the state. The committee voted unanimously to support the legislation, which now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

In the Senate Health Policy Committee, a vote was held on Sen. Sylvia Santana’s (D-Detroit) bill intended to increase access to vaccines and certain laboratory tests. Senate Bill (SB) 219 would allow pharmacists to order and administer immunizations and certain diagnostic tests for their patients without physician supervision. A new substitute was adopted in committee that limits the diagnostic screening pharmacists would be allowed to perform to COVID-19, influenza, urinary tract infections and diabetes. Pharmacists wishing to provide these additional services must also complete an annual 4-hour training program. The MHA has not yet taken a position on SB 219, which was approved by the committee and sent to the Senate floor.

In the House Health Policy Committee, testimony was taken on a new package of bills that would allow Michigan citizens to designate themselves as organ donors on state tax forms. Introduced by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp), HBs 4362 through 4364 would provide for the question to be asked on tax forms starting in the 2023 tax year. The MHA is supportive of the legislation, which is being led by Gift of Life Michigan to reverse the declining growth in individuals signing up for the donor registry. Gift of Life Michigan testified in committee that states across the country are dealing with this trend, as the pandemic and online services have led to fewer trips to Secretary of State offices. No vote was taken during the initial hearing on the bills.

The MHA also submitted written testimony in support of a bill to require drug manufacturers to report certain data and price changes to the state of Michigan. Introduced by Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), HB 4409 is also known as the Drug Manufacturer Data Reporting Act. The MHA sees this legislation as an important step in providing transparency into the fastest growing expense for Michigan hospitals. For example, between 2019 and 2021 drug costs rose nationally by 36.9%. This hearing was testimony only and the MHA will continue to track the legislation.

Members with questions about state legislative action can reach out to Adam Carlson for more information.

Healthcare Bills See Action as Session Resumes

Member News
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capitol buildingThe Michigan Legislature returned to session the week of April 10, taking up several bills the MHA is monitoring. In the House of Representatives, MHA-supported legislation to create a new tax credit for blood donations and to regulate the sale of kratom received hearings in their respective committees. In the Senate, a package of bills to license and regulate professional guardians was introduced and testimony was held on a bill to allow for pharmacists to order and administer certain vaccinations and diagnostic tests.

The House Committee on Tax Policy held a hearing on House Bill (HB) 4068 to create a new tax credit for blood donations in Michigan. Introduced by Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), the bill would allow for a $25 state income tax credit for each blood donation during the tax year. The MHA is supportive of the bill, which is a unique way of encouraging good public health decisions in the state. A vote was not held at this hearing.

In the House Regulatory Reform Committee, an initial hearing was held on legislation to regulate the sale of kratom in Michigan. Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain compounds which can have psychotropic effects similar to opioids and stimulants. HB 4061 would ban adulterated kratom products, require warning labels addressing the potential health impacts and require lab testing for kratom products to ensure consumers know what substances are present. HB 4061 is a reintroduction by Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren) and was supported by the MHA’s Legislative Policy Panel last session. No vote on the bill was taken.

In the Senate’s Health Policy Committee, Sen. Sylvia Santana presented a new bill intended to increase access to vaccines and certain laboratory tests. Senate Bill (SB) 219 would allow pharmacists to order and administer vaccinations and certain diagnostic tests for their patients without physician supervision. Under the bill, the diagnostic tests pharmacists would be allowed to perform would be limited to those that are waived for home use by the Food and Drug Administration or approved for waiver under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988. The MHA has not yet taken a position on SB 219, which has also been introduced in the House as HB 4316 by Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn). The MHA expects further testimony to be taken on the bill and no votes were held at this time.

In the Senate, a new package of six bills to amend regulations for professional guardians was introduced. SBs 253–258 include a wide range of proposals to increase the requirements for professional guardians, limit the number of cases a guardian can take and change the priority list for court-appointed guardians. The MHA has concerns with the legislation impacting a hospital’s ability to secure court appointed guardians in a timely manner to engage with healthcare and placement decisions. No hearing is scheduled on the bills at this time.

Members with questions about state legislative action can reach out to Adam Carlson for more information.

MHA-supported Bills See Action Before Break

Member News
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capitol buildingThe Michigan House of Representatives acted on a pair of MHA-supported bills during the week of March 20.

In the House Health Policy Committee, members voted to report legislation to strengthen Michigan’s Healthy Michigan statute. House Bill (HB) 4224, introduced by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), would remove Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements that are currently held up by the courts. The MHA has provided testimony in support of the bill and expects additional improvements to the Healthy Michigan statute to be introduced in the coming weeks. HB 4224 now awaits a floor vote by the full House of Representatives and the MHA will continue to monitor any action in future Monday Report articles.

Another MHA-supported bill, HB 4167, was passed by the full House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate for further consideration. Introduced by Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), HB 4167 would establish a new rare disease advisory council at the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance on research, diagnosis and treatment efforts in Michigan. The MHA hopes this council will help identify opportunities to improve care for the one in 10 U.S. residents impacted by rare diseases according to the National Institutes of Health.

In the other chamber, Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) introduced a new bill intended to increase access to vaccines and certain laboratory tests. Senate Bill (SB) 219 would allow for pharmacists to order and administer vaccinations and certain diagnostic tests for their patients without physician supervision. Under the bill, the diagnostic tests pharmacists would be allowed to perform would be limited to those waived for home use by the Food and Drug Administration or approved for waiver under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA). The MHA has not taken a position on SB 219, which has been referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee.

Legislators will now return to their districts for a two-week break from session before returning to focus on the fiscal year 2024 state budget.

Members with questions about state legislative action can reach out to Adam Carlson for more information.