The Community Health Worker Access Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include preventive care and services addressing social determinants of health provided by community health agencies, with benefits taking effect on January 1, 2027. These services are paid at 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a federally established fee schedule, and they are exempt from Medicare deductibles. The bill also gives states an optional pathway to cover these same services under Medicaid, requiring state plan amendments that include workforce recruitment strategies and efforts to remove barriers for organizations that do not typically bill insurance. To support this expansion, the federal government increases its share of Medicaid costs by 6 percentage points for eligible community health expenditures in participating states.
This House resolution expresses support for designating September 22, 2026, as "National Hispanic Nurses Day" to honor the contributions of Hispanic nurses to the U.S. healthcare system. It specifically recognizes the National Association of Hispanic Nurses as the leading organization representing and advocating for this group of professionals. The bill encourages the public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities that highlight the role of these nurses in reducing health disparities and providing culturally competent care.
The Educating Future Nurses Act establishes a new federal program that reimburses eligible hospitals for the reasonable costs of providing clinical education to advanced practice registered nurses, including nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. To participate, hospitals must lead regional "Graduate Nurse Education Hubs" that partner with accredited nursing schools and at least two non-hospital community-based care settings, such as rural health clinics or home health agencies. Payments are calculated using a per-student rate adjusted for inflation, but the total reimbursement is capped based on the increase in graduate nurse enrollments compared to a 2024-2025 baseline. The bill requires hospitals to submit annual reports detailing student outcomes and workforce placement, with a 25% payment reduction imposed if reporting requirements are not met.
This bill amends Medicare to cover dental and oral health services for the first time, affecting all current and future Medicare beneficiaries. It defines covered services to include routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, and emergency care. For most individuals, federal payment for these services will gradually increase from 0% to 80% over an eight-year period, while low-income individuals eligible for prescription drug subsidies will receive 80% coverage immediately. The legislation also establishes frequency limits, such as two cleanings and exams per year and a five-year limit on full dentures, and requires the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to include at least one oral health professional.
The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act expands Medicaid coverage for services provided by rural emergency hospitals and allows these facilities to offer additional inpatient units for psychiatric, rehabilitation, and obstetric care. It also creates a pathway for existing facilities that operate similarly to rural emergency hospitals to convert their status by waiving certain requirements, while permitting them to provide skilled nursing "swing bed" services under specific agreements.
To support financial sustainability, the bill increases Medicare payments for diagnostic laboratory tests performed at these hospitals by 5 percent starting in 2027 and ensures that facilities reverting to critical access hospital status can regain their necessary provider designation. Additionally, the legislation designates rural emergency hospitals as health professional shortage areas to facilitate National Health Service Corps placements and includes them in the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grant eligibility.
This House resolution supports the goals of National Clinical Nurse Specialist Week, which is observed during the first week of September. It formally recognizes the contributions of these advanced practice nurses to patient care, quality improvement, and workforce development across various healthcare settings. The bill encourages the public to observe the week through appropriate programs and activities. Additionally, it reaffirms the House's commitment to ensuring that Clinical Nurse Specialists are accurately classified in federal labor statistics and supported in health workforce planning.
This bill amends Michigan's Adult Foster Care Facility Licensing Act to strengthen oversight and safety standards for facilities caring for adults. It requires the state department to process licensing applications within six months, with financial penalties for delays, and mandates that applicants undergo criminal history checks through the state police and FBI. The legislation also prohibits concurrent licensing of adult foster care homes as child care homes and bars individuals with specific criminal convictions from holding licenses or having access to residents.
New provisions require facilities to conduct annual anonymous resident satisfaction surveys covering areas such as staff empathy, food quality, and safety. Additionally, if unlicensed staff administer medication, the facility must hire a licensed pharmacist or registered nurse to perform semiannual reviews of drug regimens and monitor compliance. These changes take effect only if two companion bills are also enacted into law.
Michigan House Bill 6293 establishes the MiNURSES program within the state health department to increase the recruitment, placement, and retention of primary care nurses in rural and urban underserved areas. The bill provides financial assistance for nursing education loans or scholarships to nurses who agree to a two-year service obligation working full-time in designated underserved locations. Payments are made as lump sums at the end of each year of service, funded by a new state treasury account that can receive money from various sources. An advisory commission is created to make recommendations on program operations, and the department must publish an annual report detailing the program's cost-effectiveness, successes, and challenges.
Michigan House Bill 6319 amends the state's Mental Health Code to expand the legal definition of a "mental health professional" to include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. This change allows these three groups of healthcare providers to perform specific clinical functions previously reserved for physicians or psychiatrists, such as conducting physical examinations for involuntary treatment petitions and authorizing the use of physical restraints or seclusion in mental health facilities. The bill also updates related definitions and procedural requirements throughout the code to ensure these new professionals are recognized in contexts involving patient rights, court hearings, and facility safety protocols.
Michigan House Bill 6290 establishes the Office of Primary Care Transformation within the Department of Health and Human Services to improve access to and the quality of primary care services. The office is tasked with providing technical assistance to medical practices, expanding the healthcare workforce, addressing patient social needs, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations. Additionally, the bill creates a dedicated primary care transformation fund in the state treasury to support these initiatives, with funds remaining available across fiscal years rather than lapsing. This legislation only takes effect if a related companion bill is also enacted into law.
