The Michigan Legislature is working to ensure patient safety when seeking out registered dietitian nutritionists and nutritionists. In the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee meeting on May 12th, the committee heard testimony of Amendment S2 on Senate Bill 614, which would prescribe the scope of practice and outline the licensing requirements for dietitian … Read more
Four of the top legislative leaders in Michigan health care and health policy joined us at our 2022 Michigan State of Reform Health Policy Conference to discuss the most pressing issues in the state legislature. The keynote panel included Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Cadillac), Chair of the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee, Sen. Winnie … Read more
House Bills 2616 and 2498, concerning mandates on masking for minors and COVID-19 vaccination for state employees respectively, both passed their Third Read on the Senate Floor this week. HB 2616, introduced by Rep. Joseph Chaplik (R–Scottsdale), would prohibit any school district or governmental entity of the state from requiring masks to be … Read more
Rep. Raymond Ward (R-Bountiful) is the House Chair of the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee 2022. Ward is a practicing family physician and is affiliated with the Utah Medical Association and Utah Academy of Family Physicians. Ward recently spoke on his caucus’ health policy priorities at our 2022 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference on … Read more
Lawmakers passed several bills that will have significant impacts on behavioral health during Washington’s recently wrapped legislative session. A Senate staffer provided details about how each will impact residents and their health care Tuesday. Kevin Black discussed the bills during a meeting hosted by Washington Legislative and Policy Advocates. Black is a staffer … Read more
The Michigan Legislature’s spring break adjournment followed lots of bill movement. The Legislature moved bills to change the prior authorization process for commercial insurers, provide supplemental funds to implement statewide broadband, and expand the Essential Health Provider Loan Repayment Program. Both chambers recently passed Senate Bill 247, which would decrease wait times for … Read more
In the last week before their spring break, the Michigan House Health Policy Committee heard testimonies from experts about the status of workforce shortages in the state. Persistent gaps in the health workforce continue to concern experts, who highlighted the need for building the workforce pipeline, starting recruitment in high school, and funding loan repayment … Read more
Behavioral health reform continues to be a top priority in the Michigan Legislature with the hearing of Rep. Mary Whiteford’s (R-South Haven) bill package House Bills 4925-4929. The Michigan House Health Policy Committee heard these bills in committee, which did not end in a vote. More discussion for this package is planned for future committee … Read more
The Colorado Legislature introduced a bill on Wednesday that would officially create the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). House Bill 1278 codifies the rules of the administration in the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) to, “increase efficiency, transparency, and ease of access for behavioral health services,” said Michelle Barnes, executive director of CDHS. On Friday … Read more
Budget talks in the Utah Legislature are on their tail end after the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee finalized their prioritized ongoing and one-time funding requests last week and presented them to the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC). The social services budget—according to Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair and subcommittee member Senator Michael Kennedy (R … Read more