Healthcare Coverage Payments Advance from Legislative Committees – MHA

A number of payments tracked by the MHA noticed additional motion within the Michigan Legislature the week of April 17. Committees within the Home and Senate took votes on payments to create a brand new tax credit score for blood donations and to permit pharmacists to order and administer sure immunizations and diagnostic exams in Michigan. The MHA additionally supported laws within the Home Well being Coverage Committee that will permit residents to designate themselves as an organ donor on their tax submitting and require drug producers to report sure knowledge and data on worth adjustments to the state.

The Home Committee on Tax Coverage held a second listening to on House Bill (HB) 4068, which might create a brand new tax credit score for blood donations in Michigan. Launched by Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), the invoice would permit for a $25 state earnings tax credit score for every blood donation throughout the tax yr. The MHA is supportive of the invoice, which is a singular method of encouraging good public well being selections within the state. The committee voted unanimously to help the laws, which now heads to the Home ground for additional consideration.

Within the Senate Well being Coverage Committee, a vote was held on Sen. Sylvia Santana’s (D-Detroit) invoice supposed to extend entry to vaccines and sure laboratory exams. Senate Bill (SB) 219 would permit pharmacists to order and administer immunizations and sure diagnostic exams for his or her sufferers with out doctor supervision. A brand new substitute was adopted in committee that limits the diagnostic screening pharmacists can be allowed to carry out to COVID-19, influenza, urinary tract infections and diabetes. Pharmacists wishing to offer these further providers should additionally full an annual 4-hour coaching program. The MHA has not but taken a place on SB 219, which was accredited by the committee and despatched to the Senate ground.

Within the Home Well being Coverage Committee, testimony was taken on a brand new package deal of payments that will permit Michigan residents to designate themselves as organ donors on state tax types. Launched by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp), HBs 4362 via 4364 would supply for the query to be requested on tax types beginning within the 2023 tax yr. The MHA is supportive of the laws, which is being led by Present of Life Michigan to reverse the declining progress in people signing up for the donor registry. Present of Life Michigan testified in committee that states throughout the nation are coping with this development, because the pandemic and on-line providers have led to fewer journeys to Secretary of State places of work. No vote was taken throughout the preliminary listening to on the payments.

The MHA additionally submitted written testimony in help of a invoice to require drug producers to report sure knowledge and worth adjustments to the state of Michigan. Launched by Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), HB 4409 is also referred to as the Drug Producer Knowledge Reporting Act. The MHA sees this laws as an necessary step in offering transparency into the quickest rising expense for Michigan hospitals. For instance, between 2019 and 2021 drug prices rose nationally by 36.9%. This listening to was testimony solely and the MHA will proceed to trace the laws.

Members with questions on state legislative motion can attain out to Adam Carlson for extra data.