Healthcare

Senate Bill 34 amends Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to broaden the definition of "sex." For employment situations, it clarifies that "sex" includes pregnancy, lactating status, childbirth, termination of a pregnancy, or related medical conditions. For places of public accommodation and public service, the bill specifies that "sex" includes pregnancy or lactating status. This bill aims to expand civil rights protections for individuals based on these defined statuses.

SB 37 requires Michigan health insurers to cover gynecological and perinatal care services provided by in-network physicians, certified nurse midwives, or midwives at in-network facilities or at home. This applies to any health insurance policy that already includes coverage for these services. The bill defines key terms like "certified nurse midwife" and "midwife" to clarify which providers and settings qualify for the required coverage. The policy change ensures patients using in-network providers for these services have access without gaps in coverage.

SB 31 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to require hospitals to adopt written policies covering specific patient rights during childbirth. It directly affects all Michigan hospitals licensed under the Public Health Code and their patients receiving care while pregnant and in labor. The key new provision mandates that hospitals must stabilize a pregnant patient's condition before terminating care if the patient refuses treatment, ensuring they cannot be discharged without medical stabilization. This adds to existing requirements for hospitals to clearly outline patient rights like privacy, access to medical records, and the right to refuse treatment in their written policies.