Action was taken the week of May 22 on a variety of bills that would make improvements to the Healthy Michigan Plan, require adult changing tables be included in future construction or renovation projects and provide new tax credits for clinical preceptors.
In the House Health Policy Committee, a bipartisan vote was taken in support of legislation to improve the Healthy Michigan Plan. House Bill (HB) 4496, introduced by Rep. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns), would eliminate unnecessary provisions in the Healthy Michigan Plan and make changes to help ensure its long-term success. The bill is part of a two-bill package with HB 4495, which was introduced by Rep. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) and approved last week by the committee. 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 and will continue to monitor any future action.
Also in the House, a new bill to increase access to adult changing tables was introduced by Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren). HB 4649 would require that future construction or renovation projects over $10,000 include one adult-sized changing table for the facility. Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities with 10 or more employees are included directly in the language. The MHA is reviewing the legislation to ensure that any existing patient rooms with adequate accommodations would satisfy the requirement under the language. The bill was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform for further consideration.
On the Senate side, an MHA-supported package to provide new tax credits for clinical preceptors was reintroduced. Senate Bills 360 and 361 were introduced by Sen Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Sue Shink (D-Ann Arbor) and would provide up to $5,000 in state income tax credit for individuals who agree to work in Michigan as a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nursing program clinical preceptor. The language allows for $1,000 to be credited for every 250 hours completed during a tax year. The MHA sees this as a unique solution to encourage individuals to assist in growing the healthcare talent pipeline and could increase Michigan’s capacity for clinical rotation slots.
Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA for more information.