Legislative Update: Week of March 19th

The big issue this week in the legislature was autism. Both chambers took a turn at working on the issue with a suspected bill signing for this legislation sometime in early April. Let's review the activity taken on this issue and others this week:

House:

In House Health Policy this week they continued taking testimony on chemotherapy drug parity. Many of those who testified we're in opposition of the legislation stating that insurers already cover the drugs in a parity way and by mandating this could lead to an increase in costs for the patients. The committee did not take action on the bills.

In House Families, Children, and Seniors committee they received from the Senate the Autism package mandating coverage of Autism by insurance companies and here the Governor has proposed money for Medicaid and MIChild, state programs that provide health care for children in Michigan. The committee took testimony throughout the day and is expected to vote out the measures to the House floor when it meets at it's regular time Tuesday morning.

 

Senate:

 

The full Senate acted on the Autism measures early in the week and passed them to the House for their consideration. As you can see from above the House was quick to act on the measures. Its expected that the measures will be voted out of the House and Senate be late next week before the legislature heads on break the first week of April.

 

The Senate Health Policy committee considered one item House Bill 5131 which allows insurers to access the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) in efforts to prevent fraud. Testimony on the issue was quick and the measure to voted to the Senate floor for their consideration.

 

Dr. Steven Newman, President
testifying on Senate Bill 977

Senate Judiciary committee continued it's work in Medical Marihuana by considering Senate Bill 977 which would take Glaucoma of the lists of qualifying conditions to use Medical Marihuana. Dr. Steven Newman testified in the committee supporting the measure to take Glaucoma off the list. The committee did vote this legislation to the full Senate for their consideration.

 

In the coming week the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will begin to take testimony on the legality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Stay with MSMS and MDPAC to find up to date information along with audio from the hearings.