Legislative Update Week of March 18th

With the Educational Achievement Authority leaving those watching the legislature waiting until the end of the week the House signaled that they are not in favor of the Medicaid expansion by leaving money out for those programs with the first movement on the Department of Community Health Budget and the Senate signaling that they aren't interested in working on the money for the exchange, health care is becoming front and center; let’s review the week:

House:

Dr. Kay Watnick speaking to the press
about the tanning legislation.

The House this week took up House Bills 4274 and 4275 that would require interested parties work with the Insurance Commissioner or create a standardized two page prior authorization form for prescriptions. Now the legislation will move to the Senate for their consideration. This week Representative Jim Townsend introduced House Bill 4405 that would restrict the use of tanning beds by minors in Michigan, 16 and under. Kay Watnick, MD, a dermatologists and Immediate Past President of the Michigan Dermatological Society attended a press conference with Representative Townsend at MSMS to discuss the legislation. "Indoor tanning beds emit up to 15 times more ultraviolet rays than what is emit from the sun," said Dr. Watnick. The legislation is referred to the House standing committee on Regulatory Reform.

Senate:

The Senate Health Policy Committee convened this week to consider two items, Senate Bills 136 and 237, 238, and 239. Senate Bill 136 would allow for a conscientious objection to providing certain treatments based on a moral or religious objection by the physician. If there is an emergent situation the physician may not use the objection to not provide treatment. MSMS has worked with the sponsor of the legislation to find a compromise that we feel will be productive for everyone and continue to work with the sponsor. MSMS continues to oppose the legislation. The legislation was sent to the Senate floor for its consideration. Senate Bills 237, 238 and 239 would amend the public health code along with the school code to update the ages needed for vaccinations. The committee took testimony on the issue and is expected to vote out the legislation at its next hearing.

The full Senate considered their version of the prior authorization legislation by passing Senate Bills 178 and 179. These bills will head to the House Health Policy committee for testimony. It is uncertain at this point which legislation will be the final bills passed.

Budget:

The House Appropriations Subcommittee passed it first version of the Department of Community Health budget (House Bill 4213) this week with leaving the Medicaid expansion out of the budget. There were concerns that lawmakers had on the costs to consumers and sustainability of the program with some on the inside asking for reforms to the program before money will be appropriated for the expansion. This is just the first of what will be many more rounds to come. The Senate is expected to pass their version in the coming weeks.

The Health Insurance Exchange it a snag this week in the Senate will the Senate Majority Leader stating that the exchange was virtually dead for the moment. It will be interesting to see what the next moves of the Senate will be with the implementation of the exchange due at the end of this year.

For more information on what is happening in Lansing and beyond stay with MSMS at http://www.msms.org/advocacy. Your voice counts; make it heard by supporting MDPAC! Find more information at http://www.mdpac.org.