Last week, Michigan Attorney General (AG) Dana Nessel announced plans to join a coalition of states in a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to preserve access to mifepristone, a pill used to cause an abortion during the early part of a pregnancy. Mifepristone blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for a … Read more
Michigan has been making changes to its Medicaid dental policies, having recently increased Medicaid payment rates for dental services provided in ambulatory surgical centers and outpatient hospitals and expanding dental sealant coverage for beneficiaries under age 21 for the prevention of pit and fissure caries. At the end of January, the Michigan Department … Read more
On February 2nd, Michigan’s House Committee on Health Policy held its first meeting of the new legislation session. The meeting featured presentations by the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, the Michigan Primary Care Association, and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. Rep. Julie Rogers (D – Kalamazoo), who chairs the newly Democratic-controlled … Read more
In January, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that it is requesting proposals to expand its Child and Adolescent Health Center program through school-based or school-linked health services. The Child and Adolescent Health Center Program has two models: Child and Adolescent Health Centers (CAHC) and School Wellness Programs (SWP). … Read more
Residents of Flint and Benton Harbor, Michigan, have all dealt with contaminated water supply over the years, and they are still having issues with lead and the repercussions of failing infrastructure. Recently, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has laid out information for residents of Flint and Brenton Harbor on the improvements … Read more
On February 2nd, 2023, Michigan’s House Health Policy Committee held its first meeting of the legislative session, which focused on creating a state-regulated health insurance marketplace. Joseph Sullivan, insurance legislative liaison from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services spoke to the committee about transitioning to a state-based health insurance exchange marketplace and … Read more
After years of mismanagement concerning Flint’s water system, leaving the city’s residents with little trust in their government, state lawmakers are still introducing legislation to help children, families, and the community screen for lead poisoning. On January 19th, 2023, Sen. John Cherry (D – Flint) introduced Senate Bill 31, which was immediately referred … Read more
For the first time in over 40 years, there is a Democratic House, Senate, and governor in the state of Michigan. With a trifecta government, many sources have been anticipating that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would share the healthcare-related priorities she hopes to accomplish over the next four years while she’s in office during her State … Read more
On January 18th, 2023, State Senator Sarah Anthony (D – Lansing) introduced Senate Bills 27, 28, and 29, which is a set of bills addressing mental health issues in Michigan. “In recent years, we’ve seen an uptick in mental health issues, particularly among our young people,” Anthony said. “It’s high time that we take … Read more
Earlier this year, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officially began covering doulas through Medicaid. State Senator Erika Geiss (D – Taylor) and Kiddada Green, Founding Executive Director at Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association, shared their insights about Michigan’s newly enacted policy. State of Reform: What inspired you to compose your … Read more