Updates About Legislation

The Michigan State House and Senate approproations subcommittees have issued their respective budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year beginning on October 1.

The Senate’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) budget closely aligns with the governor’s proposal in overall funding levels but includes some notable differences. Notable changes include adjustments to funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Medicaid reimbursement rates, juvenile justice programs, and various one-time funding items and new programs. Additionally, the Senate introduced boilerplate language aimed at safeguarding the privacy of individuals seeking abortion services in Michigan from out-of-state investigations. The Senate’s proposed budget stands at $37.71 billion (with $6.68 billion allocated from the General Fund), coming in $110 million higher than the Governor’s proposed $37.6 billion budget for DHHS.

On the other hand, the House’s DHHS budget introduces its own modifications to the Governor’s proposal. Notably, the House subcommittee opted to allocate $53.4 million from opioid settlement funds toward opioid recovery and addiction care services. The House also proposed various adjustments to Medicaid reimbursement rates, foster care administration rates, and funding for behavioral health initiatives. Additionally, the House prioritized several one-time projects, including investments in public health initiatives, behavioral health programs, and community violence prevention. The House’s proposed budget amounts to $35.9 billion (with $6.6 billion allocated from the General Fund). Their total budget for DHHS is $1.81 billion less than the Governor’s DHHS budget proposal.

Overall, both the Senate and House Budget Recommendations exhibit nuanced differences from the governor’s proposal, reflecting varying priorities and approaches in addressing key areas such as healthcare, social services, and public health initiatives. While the Senate budget came in slightly higher than the executive budget allocation for DHHS, the House proposal is significantly lower. Updated revenues for Fiscal Year 2025 will be presented on May 17 at the next Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference.

Amidst the NFL draft festivities in Detroit, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law two bills aimed at bolstering cardiac emergency response in Michigan high schools. House Bill 5527 mandates the development of comprehensive cardiac emergency response plans, including the establishment of emergency response teams, AED placement, staff training, and annual simulation drills, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Complementing this, House Bill 5528 requires high school coaches to be certified in CPR and AED use. Both bills garnered bipartisan support in the state legislature.

Advocates, including bill sponsors Rep. John Fitzgerald (D – Wyoming) and Rep. Tyrone Carter (D – Detroit) and NFL player Damar Hamlin, emphasized the importance of equipping schools with lifesaving equipment and training. The Chasing M’s Foundation, co-founded by Hamlin, announced a significant donation of AEDs to Michigan high schools, emphasizing the vital role of CPR and AED knowledge in saving lives. The bill signing ceremony featured hands-on CPR training sessions, highlighting the importance of community readiness in responding to cardiac emergencies.

Senate Democrats introduced the Michigan “Momnibus” package, comprising 10 bills aimed at addressing birthing inequities in the state. Led by the MI State of Birth Justice coalition, the legislation focuses on enhancing accountability for maternal health care providers and creating equity in birthing practices. Here are the key bills from the package:

SB 818 (Sen. Erica Geiss): Requires MDHHS to include published studies and reports on biased or unjust perinatal care and mandates health facilities to report maternal deaths. This bill also codifies the maternal mortality review team.

SB 819 (Sen. Erica Geiss): Requires the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to receive reports of obstetric racism and violence, utilizing patient-reported experiences. MDCR must provide a report to relevant health committees and agencies.

SB 820 (Sen. Mary Cavanagh): Mandates stabilization of laboring patients before termination of care and ensures hospitals allow patients to be accompanied by a partner, spouse, or doula. Hospitals must provide proof of policy to LARA.

SB 821 (Sen. Mary Cavanagh): Requires medical malpractice insurers to provide DHHS with information regarding perinatal care services policies.

SB 822 (Sen. Sarah Anthony): Allows individuals to detail life-sustaining treatment preferences if pregnant when an advance directive becomes effective.

SB 823 (Sen. Stephanie Chang): Amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include pregnancy or lactation status in the definition of “sex” and protect against discrimination.

SB 824 (Sen. Sylvia Santana): Requires a non-punitive plan of safe care when an infant is substance exposed.

SB 825 (Sen. Sarah Anthony): Adds licensed midwives to the state’s essential health provider loan repayment program.

SB 826 (Sen. Stephanie Chang): Establishes a scholarship program for low-income residents working toward certification as a doula.

SB 827 (Sen. Sylvia Santana): Mandates private payer reimbursement for licensed midwives.

These bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services for consideration. Additionally, Rep. Laurie Pohutsky is collaborating on legislation to license freestanding birth centers in Michigan.