Healthcare

in committee · Michigan · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 298: Health: screening; pilot program to assess the effects of PFAS on certain participants; provide for. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding pt. 57A. TIE BAR WITH: SB 299'25

Senate Bill 298 amends the Public Health Code to establish definitions for a PFAS pilot program. This bill defines "qualified study participants" as individuals who, while under 11 years old and on or after January 1, 2012, resided in specific counties and were exposed to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through well water or a public water supply. It also defines "eligible research institutions" to conduct the program and creates a "PFAS pilot program fund." The full operational details of the pilot program itself are not included in this provided text. This act is tied to the enactment of Senate Bill 299.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates PFAS screening pilot program with dedicated fund under Public Health Code, advancing public health monitoring for environmental health exposure in children.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed both · Michigan · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 4218: Mental health: other; recipient rights advisory committee membership; modify. Amends secs. 100d & 756 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1100d & 330.1756).

HB 4218 amends Michigan's Mental Health Code (1974 PA 258) to update key definitions related to mental health services and recipient rights. It clarifies terms like "serious emotional disturbance" for minors and "serious mental illness" for adults, specifying when conditions such as substance use disorders or developmental disorders are included under these categories. The bill also refines the definition of the "State recipient rights advisory committee" to better define its role in advising the department on recipient rights. This is a technical clarification of existing code language, not a new policy change.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies definitions of mental health conditions and strengthens advisory committee role to protect recipient rights under mental health services, advancing patient access and rights protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Sep 18, 2025

SB 556: Individual income tax: other; MiAble fund; create. Amends 2015 PA 160 (MCL 206.981 - 206.997) by adding sec. 3a. TIE BAR WITH: SB 555'25

SB 556 creates the MiABLE fund in the Michigan state treasury to support the Michigan ABLE savings program for people with disabilities. The fund receives money from income tax receipts (under MCL 206.51) and other sources, with all balances rolling over annually instead of returning to the general fund. It specifically covers program administration costs and reimburses fees charged to participants for account maintenance and asset-based fees. This bill directly affects the Michigan ABLE program’s financial operations and its participants, who use the savings accounts without losing eligibility for benefits. The fund’s structure ensures dedicated, ongoing resources for the program’s management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates MiABLE fund using income tax receipts to cover program administration costs, directing tax revenue to support disability savings program, aligning with fiscal management of dedicated funds.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates MiABLE fund to support ABLE program for people with disabilities, ensuring financial management without loss of healthcare benefits like Medicaid.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget

Track

in committee · Michigan · House May 21, 2025

HB 4037: Records: health; health information exchange; establish certain requirements to operate a health data utility. Amends secs. 2501 & 2505 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2501 & 333.2505) & adds sec. 2508.

HB 4037 establishes requirements for health data utilities in Michigan, defining them as systems that securely combine and share health data for treatment, care coordination, and public health purposes. It requires the Health Information Technology Commission to develop a strategic plan addressing data standards, privacy, security, cost reduction, and patient access by 2026. The bill mandates a request for proposal process to select a Michigan-based health information exchange to operate this utility by March 2026, directly affecting hospitals, providers, payers, and patients who interact with the state's health data systems. Key provisions include protecting patient privacy, reducing medical errors, and ensuring interoperability between health care entities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes secure health data utility requirements, mandates strategic plan for patient access, cost reduction, and data standards, enhancing healthcare coordination and efficiency.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure health data utility standards, requires privacy/security planning by tech commission, and establishes data exchange framework for public health purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Michigan · Senate Jul 1, 2025

SB 399: Controlled substances: drug paraphernalia; definition of drug paraphernalia; modify. Amends sec. 7451 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.7451).

SB 399 amends Michigan's definition of "drug paraphernalia" in the Public Health Code to explicitly exclude certain testing products, like fentanyl test strips, from being classified as paraphernalia. The bill states that tools used to detect harmful chemicals in controlled substances - such as strips for testing fentanyl - do not count as drug paraphernalia under state law. This change directly affects individuals using these testing products for safety, including people who use or distribute them to prevent overdoses. The amendment aims to remove legal barriers for harm-reduction tools without altering other provisions about paraphernalia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes fentanyl test strips from drug paraphernalia, enabling safer drug use practices and preventing overdoses, directly supporting public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed both · Michigan · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 398: Health: substance use disorder treatment; substance use disorder services programs requirements; modify, and prohibit the promulgation of certain rules. Amends secs. 6230 & 6234 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.6230 & 333.6234).

SB 398 modifies requirements for substance use disorder treatment programs in Michigan and prohibits state agencies from creating new rules about these services. It directly affects treatment providers and the state health department (DHHS) by changing existing standards for program operations and blocking future rulemaking on specific service requirements. Key provisions include updating program eligibility rules under MCL 333.6230 and banning the development of new rules under MCL 333.6234. The bill aims to streamline program standards while preventing additional regulatory burdens on treatment providers.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits new rules for substance use disorder services, limiting potential regulatory improvements to healthcare standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Oct 16, 2025

SB 610: Health: other; database and educational materials on uterine fibroid; provide for. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding pt. 95A.

SB 610 requires Michigan's health department to create a public database tracking uterine fibroid incidence, demographics, and treatment options in the state, while prohibiting personal patient data. Healthcare providers must submit diagnostic and treatment data to this database, and the department must publish annual reports summarizing the data starting two years after the law takes effect. The bill also mandates development of educational materials highlighting racial disparities in risk, non-surgical treatment options (like medications), and other key information for both the public and health professionals. These materials must be posted on the department's website and distributed by medical boards, with additional public awareness campaigns coordinated through nonprofit partnerships.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public database on uterine fibroids and racial disparity education, advancing health equity through data transparency and targeted outreach.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 547: Insurance: no-fault; utilization reviews; require compliance with decision on appeal. Amends sec. 3157a of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.3157a).

SB 547 requires healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals) to submit medical records and comply with insurance reviews for accident-related care under Michigan's no-fault insurance. It creates a formal process for insurers to request explanations for treatments deemed excessive, with providers able to appeal decisions to the state department. The bill also penalizes providers who submit false information during reviews as fraudulent insurance acts. These changes apply to all healthcare providers offering covered services and aim to standardize how insurers evaluate medical care against medical guidelines. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates formal appeal process for insurance reviews, preventing unjust denials of accident-related care and protecting patient access under Michigan's no-fault system.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 546: Insurance: other; penalties for late payment of claims; increase. Amends secs. 2006 & 3142 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.2006 & 500.3142).

SB 546 amends Michigan's Insurance Code to strengthen penalties for insurers delaying claim payments. It requires insurers to pay 12% annual interest on unpaid claims after 60 days, with tiered rates (1.5% for 30 days late, 2% for 31-90 days, 4% after 90 days) for claims not paid on time. The bill also mandates health plans pay "clean claims" (complete documentation) within 30 days, with interest if delayed, and clarifies timelines for proof of loss. This directly affects insurers, policyholders, third-party claimants, and health providers like hospitals or clinics processing medical claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to pay health claims faster with interest penalties, directly improving provider compensation and healthcare access timelines.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 544: Insurance: other; post-claim underwriting; prohibit. Amends sec. 2026 of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.2026).

SB 544 amends Michigan's Insurance Code (MCL 500.2026) to prohibit insurers from changing coverage terms or denying claims after a claim is filed. Specifically, it bans "re-underwriting" a policy or altering coverage based on a claim that has been submitted, which directly protects policyholders from unfair treatment after filing a claim. The key provision (added as subsection (o)) prevents insurers from using claim history to deny coverage or increase premiums retroactively. This policy change ensures insurers must complete underwriting before issuing a policy, not after a claim arises. The bill aims to prevent insurers from unfairly penalizing customers who file legitimate claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying claims or altering coverage post-submission, directly protecting policyholders' insurance coverage rights under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Track