Over the past few months, Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has implemented a variety of changes to its Medicaid dental policy. On April 1st, MDHHS continued its expansion of covered dental services by adding deep teeth cleanings, sealants, root canals, crowns, and care to keep gums healthy as Medicaid benefits. This comes … Read more
Last week, the Michigan House passed (88-20) House Bill 4167, which would create a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC) within Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The council would be required to conduct research, identify priorities, and make policy recommendations regarding access, treatments, and services for rare diseases in Michigan. The RDAC would … Read more
Last week, Michigan’s Senate Health Policy Committee discussed maternal and infant health regarding disparities between races and ethnicities, achievements made this past year, and policy recommendations to improve outcomes. Dawn M. Shanafelt, the director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health and Title V Maternal Child Health at the Michigan Department of … Read more
On March 2nd, the newly formed House Subcommittee on Behavioral Health held its first meeting. The subcommittee did not take up any bills but had presentations from Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) including the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, and West Michigan Community Mental Health. This … Read more
On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4016, a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates $1.3 billion gross funds and $828.6 million in general funds to address key health-related issues. HB 4016 provides funding for water services, nursing grants, and strategies to address Michigan’s healthcare workforce shortage. “I’m proud to sign this bipartisan … Read more
March 31st marks the official end date set by the federal government for requiring state agencies to provide continuous Medicaid enrollment for their beneficiaries. Around 400,000 Michiganders are at risk of losing coverage after being deemed ineligible for the program once the continuous coverage provision ends. Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital … Read more
In February, Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the alternative coverage options that are available for Medicaid beneficiaries in the state who may soon lose their coverage when eligibility redeterminations begin. MDHHS stated that starting in June, beneficiaries will have to start renewing their coverage as their coverage will no … Read more
In early February, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer introduced her budget for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year, and State of Reform reported on some of the governor’s public health-related funding priorities. Whitmer’s budget also focuses on addressing the contaminated water from failing infrastructure and to support communities in having lead free service lines. Whitmer calls … Read more
On Feb. 15th, 10 House Republican legislators introduced 15 bills relating to Michigan’s recently passed constitutional amendment regarding abortion access, providers, and professionals. In total, the bills look to limit and define language in Michigan’s constitution around the right to reproductive freedom. Rep. Andrew Fink (R – Hudson) introduced House Bill 4103, which … Read more
On March 1st, Michigan’s Senate Committee on Health Policy held its second meeting of the new legislation session. The committee meeting took testimony and voted on a batch of bills addressing Michigan abortion laws. Sen. Erika Geiss (D – Taylor) sponsored SB 2, which would repeal the state’s 1931 Michigan law banning abortions. … Read more