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Kevin McKinney
Legislative Update for March 2024
Not surprisingly, legislative activity is picking up right before the end of the winter session as the legislature winds down and prepares to recess for its annual two-week Spring Break.
Child Safety Seat Requirements
On March 13th, the Senate passed 21 to 17, HBs 4511 and 4512 that would update and standardize child safety seat requirements to meet Federal guidelines and manufacturers’ standards. This has been over a decades long fight in the legislature and was finally passed almost entirely along party lines. MOA joined other physician groups, The Council for Maternal and child Health, county and state law enforcement and other safety organizations to push for passage. It is expected to be signed by the Governor.
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Telehealth
Also on March 13th, the Senate Health Policy Committee reported out a package of House bills that address telehealth.
HB 4131 would prohibit health insurance policies in Michigan from requiring health care providers to provide services for a patient through telemedicine unless those services are contractually required. A substitute version of the bill was adopted in committee to address concerns about a potential reduction in coverage and options available for telehealth.
HB 4213 would revise language concerning the coverage of telemedicine services under Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan program.
HB 4579 would require insurers to provide the same coverage for telemedicine as in-person care.
HB 4580 would prohibit Medicaid from requiring the use of telemedicine instead of in-person care.
MOA supported these efforts and hopes that the Senate will move them thru the chamber prior to its recess or quickly upon return in early April.
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Step Therapy
On March 19th, there will be a press conference held by the Michigan for Patient Access Coalition which is advocating for HB 5339 which addresses needed reforms to step therapy. The bill is pending in the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee with no specific commitment for consideration by the committee chair. After the press conference , many of the coalition members will be heading to various legislators’ offices for a day of advocacy.
Scope of Practice: Nurse Practitioners
Wednesday, March 20th, the Senate Health Policy Committee will hold its initial hearing on SB 279 which expands the nurse practitioners’ scope of practice in independent settings. MOA is scheduled to testify before the committee in the afternoon hearing. MOA and AOA have jointly issued action alerts and will be submitting a document in opposition to the bill on the 2Oth. No committee vote is anticipated at this first hearing . If you have not yet reached out to your own Senator, please take the time to do so by using the link below.
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