Words of Auto No-Fault reform continued to stay in the air this week as the House Insurance committee while the topic of abortion found its way to the Senate Judiciary committee. Let's review the events of the past week:
House:
The House Health Policy committee met this week and considered two items which the committee took only testimony. The first bill was House Bill 4156 which would create liability protections for nurses who are practicing under a special volunteer license. This practice is common for other health professionals including physicians, dentists, and others. Little opposition was brought to the committee's attention and this bill should be voted on next week in the committee. The second bill the committee reviewed was Senate Bill 165 which would require hospitals to provide in writing information to the patient's parent or guardian, if the patient was a minor, on the use or non use of life sustaining treatment or non beneficial treatment. The committee is expected to vote this legislation out in the coming week as well.
The main event this week was again in the House Insurance committee where they continued taking testimony on House Bill 4612 that would reform Michigan's Auto No-Fault system. The committee started in the morning back in their normal committee location in the House Office Building. The committee room along with two other rooms were pack full of people concerned about the impending changes brought forth by the legislature. The committee went until Noon where it broke so that the members could go to Session to work on the items planned for the full House that day. After Session the members of the committee came back and continued until just after 5:00pm. Just before the committee broke, Chairman Lund asked for amendments to the bill and ran those, which would take away the $50,000 cap for retrofitting houses or cars and removing the 16 hours cap for in home care allowing for a full 24 hour in home care. After all the amendments were considered the committee took their vote seeing the legislation leave the House Insurance committee on a partisan vote, all Republicans voting for and the Democrats voting against. Now the legislation heads to the full House where some are saying that some members on the republican side don't want to vote on the issue.
Senate:
The Senate this week had the youth in mind this week. Starting with the Health Policy Committee, they considered Senate Bills 237, 238, 239 that would amend the Public Health Code, School Code, and the School Aid Act to move the grade requirement from 6th grade to 7th grade starting January 2014. Legislation was provided to move the grade requirement so that it would be able to fit all of the age requirements that health professionals were looking to obtain. These bills were sent to the Senate Floor after the committee voted out the legislation. It would expected for the Senate to consider the bills in the coming week.
The Senate Judiciary committee took another track this past meeting and had a discussion with the Department of Licensure and Regulatory Affairs about conflicts of interest on their licensure boards. This topic arose after a situation in Muskegon which involved the Michigan Board of Medicine. MSMS as been actively engaged with the issue of the committee and is working with the committee and the Board of Medicine to answer any and all questions.
Budget:
Budgets at this point are at a stand still. It is expected here in the next couple weeks that the House and Senate will whats called "zero out" the budgets sent by their colleagues in the other chamber returning the legislation back to their original chamber and finally sending them to Conference committee. All members of the Appropriations committee are awaiting the May Revenue Estimating Conference here in the coming weeks.
Stay with MSMS and MSMS Government Relations to get the up to date information either at http://www.msms.org/advocacy or on Twitter or Facebook!
Showing posts with label abortion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label abortion. Show all posts
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Legislative Update (Special Edition)
With the Legislature finally closing its books on the 96th Legislature there
were many issues that made their way through the process that kept MSMS on its
toes. We provided several letters of support or opposition, provides hours of
testimony to the House and Senate, and made hundreds of office visits and phone
calls and e-mails. All of this truly helped shape the health policy that
Michigan gained over the past two years. Now that the session is over we want
to take a look at the issues that affected all of us:
Liability Reform:
The largest victory for MSMS this year was the passage of reforms that would
bring Michigan's tort climate back toward what was originally passed by the
legislature in 1993. Senate Bills 1115 and 1118 were passed by the legislature
in, what some would call, a legendary lame duck session of the Michigan
Legislature. These reforms did not come without the battles including five
committee hearings in the Senate on these bills which lead to huge crowds in
the committee rooms. Those who were for and those against the reforms packed
the room wanting to make their presence known to the committee and how they
felt.
After hours and hours of testimony the Senate committee moved the
legislation to the floor and from there the legislation had covered it first
real hurdle. Deliberations, discussions, amendments, and speeches against and
for the legislation lead us to the final day of working session for the
legislature where the House finally took up the legislation on the floor and
gave it its blessing to send it to the Governor for his signature. It has been
almost twenty years since there has been some significant tort reform for
medical malpractice in Michigan until the end of this session, these tort
reforms will be good for physicians but more importantly good for patients.
Earlier in the term MSMS worked on legislation that would allow those physicians
who are employed to volunteer in clinics and be provided protections that are
afforded to those who are retired and work in the clinics (House Bill 4350). There was contention
with this legislation since it provided what some classified as blanket
immunity has they had in the later tort reform debate. Working with the members
of the Senate, MSMS and other parties were able to come to an agreement that
would provide the protection to those who are not contractually compelled to
work in clinics to receive the liability protections of those who are retired
and volunteering. It was a great day for medicine by opening the door to those
physicians who wish to give of their time to help those who need the help the
most.
Medical Marihuana:
In this term Medical Marihuana left us with the question of what a
"bona-fide patient/physician relationship" was in the eyes of the
law. In medicine that question can lead to several answers. The face to face
relationship all the way to telemedicine can lead to the definition of a
patient/physician relationship. The Medical Marihuana statute stated that grey
area that required patients to have this relationship with their physician but
did not state what that relationship looked like and left law enforcement and
the medical community scratching their heads. Insert House Bill 4851 which for
the purposes of Medical Marihuana defined what that relationship looked like.
Now patients would have to have contact with their physicians regularly rather
that a one and done visit as some were seeing for those who were looking to
obtain a certification for Medical Marihuana.
Insurance:
Insurance was an issue that started right away in the session with the attempt by the House to change the Michigan Auto No Fault system. House Bill 4936 wanted to provide levels of coverage that a person can obtain that would provide a certain level of financial coverage for any personal injury that occurred in an auto accident. From the state this was an issue that MSMS was against. Legislators were looking to provide choice for those individuals who were looking to save on car insurance and also provide relief to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Fund, the fund that covers those gravely injured in an auto accident. Proponents of the legislation stated that the changed needed to happen since in its current form it would bankrupt the system. Opponents of the legislation asked to see the numbers and in the end were never given the opportunity to see the hard data. The House Insurance committee did pass a series of reformed and sent it to the House floor for their consideration but were never able to obtain the votes. Expect this issue back again the new session.
It wouldn't be a complete legislative session if Blue Cross/Blue Shield wasn't involved in some way. This term they had the backing of the Governor and finally found a way to get out from under PA 350 or the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act. This act provided the tax breaks that the Blues enjoyed but also provided some requirements that the Blues did not enjoy. With the impending implementation of the health insurance exchange in Michigan, the Governor thought it was time to bring a change to the Blues and give them the ability to compete in the insurance exchange among other reasons and push for legislation to reform the Blues. The Legislature responded and created a nonprofit mutual insurer in the state of Michigan and providing a path to those incorporated under PA 350 to convert into this mutual insurer. This legislation did not come without a cost, requiring that the Blues pay to the state $1.56 Billion from now until 2018. This money will be placed in a health fund used to cover health projects and subsides Medigap policies until 2021 at a cost of $120 Million a year. The Governor received his wish and Senate Bills 1293 and 1294 were sent to his desk where they await his eventual signature.
Helmets:
Before the Legislature left for the summer break this past year they decided to take up an issue that has been on the burners of the legislature for years. They finally made a decision on the age old question, should you be required to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle? In their opinion you should not be required since it was your individual right to determine whether you ride with a helmet or not. Senate Bill 291 made its way through the legislature going through its ups and downs, being amended several time, and at one point being used in the same conversation the changes with Auto No Fault, but in the end it was finally time according to the legislature to act on this measure. MSMS was adamantly opposed to the legislation reasoning that the having helmet on in an accident will give you the greatest chance to walk away from that accident but the Governor and Legislature did not see it that way and now today we have those who cherish their individual freedoms riding without a helmet. Time will tell if this was a wise decision for Michigan.
Graduate Medical Education:
Every year at MSMS we always face small battles when it comes to the budget, whether it’s trying to get more money for Medicaid, trying to stop the cut to public health funding, or trying to keep J-1 visa waivers in the budget we always have some small battles. One that always continued to come up and we feel will continue to, is the funding for Graduate Medical Education. The Governor has presented his last two budgets to the legislature with significant cuts to the program citing that the priority should be funding Medicaid at a higher level so that physicians will service more patients on Medicaid rather than funding the training of new physicians, fresh out of medical school. We see and understand the investment on Graduate Medical Education and what care this provides to those who need to care the most. Through work and education of the legislators we have been able to stay away from the deep cuts proposed by the Governor and only work hard to absorb small cuts from the legislature. In the coming years we will have to continue this fight to keep GME at its current level rather than seeing another cut to the program.
Affordable Care Act:
This is the only federal issue that made out list this year. We all know about the sustainable growth rate (SGR) and how we face looming cuts into Medicare but somehow Congress always finds a way to kick the can down the road. This time we think it will be the same but with the fiscal cliff casting a shadow on other impending issues, it could take some serious lifting by Congress to get this done on time.
But now on to the Affordable Care Act and the decision from United States
Supreme Court that some say rocked and other say solidified the nation in the
future of its health care. The Supreme Court upheld the law saying that it was in
the taxing authority of Congress to mandate insurance for people and was not
within the commerce clause of the US Constitution. This left many states that
were waiting for a decision under the gun if they were going to start creating
their own health insurance exchanges. As for Michigan an attempt was tried with
legislation that was sent from the Senate to the House, Senate Bill 693, but
failed to gain the proper support from the committee. The state will now have a
state/federal partnership exchange in 2014.
Scope of Practice:
This year the Medical Society found itself involved in looking at the future of medicine and how the team approach to care can continue to grow in Michigan. At the start of the term, physician assistants and physicians came together to find ways to grow their partnership in Medicine and came out of those discussions with Senate Bill 384 which brought more clarification on the relationship between PA's and Physicians, strengthening it, providing greater avenues to provides the best care.
Physical Therapists made an attempt this year to provide direct access for patients, bypassing the physician in House Bill 4603. Nurses also were looking for some clarification on their profession and how they fit into the team approach of medicine with Senate Bill 481. Both of these pieces of legislation did not make through the entire legislative process but MSMS is looking forward to continuing discussions with these groups to better strengthen the medical team in Michigan.
Autism:
This legislative term saw the largest advancement in mental health parity in
Michigan in decades. MSMS has always had a long standing policy to support
mental health parity in the insurance coverage of treatment of mental health
conditions. Michigan took a step towards that this term by requiring the
coverage of services surrounding the treatment of Autism. This was a priority
of the Lieutenant Governor, Brian Calley; an issue that he worked hard for when
he was a member of the Michigan House. Senate Bills 414, 415, and 981 started in June of 2011 with 981 adding in March 2012
and by April 18, 2012 it was the law of the land that insurers had to start to
cover Autism services and treatment in Michigan. This is one small victory
towards the larger goal of mental health parity.
Claims Tax:
Starting in 2011 there were rumblings from the federal government that the use tax that was set up by Michigan to tax the insurers that held Medicaid plans in Michigan was going to be ruled illegal and could penalize the State by holding back funds for Michigan's Medicaid program. A dilemma was presented to the legislature on what to do to replace the revenue needed to obtain the funds needed for Medicaid. Thus the claims tax proposal was created. Senate Bills 347 and 348 eliminated the use tax and created a claims assessment or tax on each of the insurance claims filed at a 1% level in Michigan. This was supposed to solve the revenue shortfall that would come with the elimination of the Use Tax but that as time moved on it proved not to be the case and this year the Medicaid faces a $140 Million shortfall that has to be filled somehow. The Senate tried to move Senate Bill 1359 which would provide an adjustable rate to make the need for revenue but was rejected by the Senate Appropriations committee. The legislature continues to look for solutions for the shortfall.
Abortion:
Abortion was an issue that seemed to be on the forefront this term with the legislature as looked tightens up regulations surrounding this hot button issue. There were several bills introduced and has testimony taken but in the end, these bills were placed into one large bill House Bill 5711. This legislation took a look at four major issues the legislature felt needed to be addressed: the licensing of facilities that perform abortions, the disposal of remains, and the liability protections needed by a physician who performs abortions, and the use of telemedicine in an abortion. Those against this bill called this issue the War on Women and continued to push for its stall in the House and the Senate. Those efforts did fail and in the early morning hours of the last day of session, the House concurred with the Senate and sent the bill to be enrolled and presented to the Governor. It’s currently uncertain if the Governor will sign the legislation.
Abortion found its way into the blue cross mutualization changes mentioned above with amendments that were added by the House to require that coverage for elective abortions be an opt-in coverage rather than an opt-out situation when purchasing coverage. We will have to wait and see the impact it will have on Michiganders.
Impaired Drivers:
An issue that MSMS has been working on for several years was finally
accomplished this legislative term by providing liability protections for
physicians who report to the Michigan Secretary of State that a person may be
impaired to operate a motor vehicle. Senate Bills 402 and 403 started in the Senate Transportation committee and made
their way through the entire process landing on the Governor's desk at the end
of the second week of December. With the Governor's signature on this
legislation physicians can report those patients they feel should not be
operating a motor vehicle and let the Secretary of State decide whether that
individual should be driving.
Bullying:
A major issue for the MSMS Alliance with past term was the creation of regulations for schools on how to handle instances of bullying. House Bill 4163 was created to provide the school districts have plans in place to handle bullying and plans that are specific to their school district but meet certain requirements required in the act. In December of 2011 Michigan joined other states by have the Governor sign Matt's Safe School Law into law.
Concussions and High School Athletes:
Watching local high school sports over the past several years there continues to be a push to be faster, be stronger, hit harder and just become more physical overall. With this drive the amount of concussions happening in High School athletics was rising sharply leaving physicians, parents, coaches, and school personal concerned for the safety of the students playing athletics. This lead to the introduction of Senate Bill 1122 and House Bill 5697. Both of these pieces of legislation set into motion procedures that needed to be taken by school personal, what clearance was needed to be obtained by the athlete to compete again and what literature was needed to be provided to the athletes and parents on concussions and their treatment. We are hopeful that this will protect those athletes that want to compete at their highest levels.
With a busy legislative term over, MSMS is looking forward to what the next legislative term will bring. Some of the same issues mentioned today could very well make their way back into the legislative picture in the coming term. Stay with MSMS to get the latest information on issues going through the legislature that affect you and your practice at http://www.msms.org.advocacy. We will be taking a break now until the start of the new term, hope you all have a great new year!
Liability Reform:
 |
| Drs Elmassian and Chafty Testifying |
 |
| View at tort reform hearing. |
 |
| Wayne State Medical Students lobbying for Tort Reform. |
Medical Marihuana:
 |
| Dr. Newman testifying to the Senate Judiciary committee on Medical Marihuana |
Insurance:
Insurance was an issue that started right away in the session with the attempt by the House to change the Michigan Auto No Fault system. House Bill 4936 wanted to provide levels of coverage that a person can obtain that would provide a certain level of financial coverage for any personal injury that occurred in an auto accident. From the state this was an issue that MSMS was against. Legislators were looking to provide choice for those individuals who were looking to save on car insurance and also provide relief to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Fund, the fund that covers those gravely injured in an auto accident. Proponents of the legislation stated that the changed needed to happen since in its current form it would bankrupt the system. Opponents of the legislation asked to see the numbers and in the end were never given the opportunity to see the hard data. The House Insurance committee did pass a series of reformed and sent it to the House floor for their consideration but were never able to obtain the votes. Expect this issue back again the new session.
It wouldn't be a complete legislative session if Blue Cross/Blue Shield wasn't involved in some way. This term they had the backing of the Governor and finally found a way to get out from under PA 350 or the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act. This act provided the tax breaks that the Blues enjoyed but also provided some requirements that the Blues did not enjoy. With the impending implementation of the health insurance exchange in Michigan, the Governor thought it was time to bring a change to the Blues and give them the ability to compete in the insurance exchange among other reasons and push for legislation to reform the Blues. The Legislature responded and created a nonprofit mutual insurer in the state of Michigan and providing a path to those incorporated under PA 350 to convert into this mutual insurer. This legislation did not come without a cost, requiring that the Blues pay to the state $1.56 Billion from now until 2018. This money will be placed in a health fund used to cover health projects and subsides Medigap policies until 2021 at a cost of $120 Million a year. The Governor received his wish and Senate Bills 1293 and 1294 were sent to his desk where they await his eventual signature.
Helmets:
Before the Legislature left for the summer break this past year they decided to take up an issue that has been on the burners of the legislature for years. They finally made a decision on the age old question, should you be required to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle? In their opinion you should not be required since it was your individual right to determine whether you ride with a helmet or not. Senate Bill 291 made its way through the legislature going through its ups and downs, being amended several time, and at one point being used in the same conversation the changes with Auto No Fault, but in the end it was finally time according to the legislature to act on this measure. MSMS was adamantly opposed to the legislation reasoning that the having helmet on in an accident will give you the greatest chance to walk away from that accident but the Governor and Legislature did not see it that way and now today we have those who cherish their individual freedoms riding without a helmet. Time will tell if this was a wise decision for Michigan.
Graduate Medical Education:
Every year at MSMS we always face small battles when it comes to the budget, whether it’s trying to get more money for Medicaid, trying to stop the cut to public health funding, or trying to keep J-1 visa waivers in the budget we always have some small battles. One that always continued to come up and we feel will continue to, is the funding for Graduate Medical Education. The Governor has presented his last two budgets to the legislature with significant cuts to the program citing that the priority should be funding Medicaid at a higher level so that physicians will service more patients on Medicaid rather than funding the training of new physicians, fresh out of medical school. We see and understand the investment on Graduate Medical Education and what care this provides to those who need to care the most. Through work and education of the legislators we have been able to stay away from the deep cuts proposed by the Governor and only work hard to absorb small cuts from the legislature. In the coming years we will have to continue this fight to keep GME at its current level rather than seeing another cut to the program.
Affordable Care Act:
This is the only federal issue that made out list this year. We all know about the sustainable growth rate (SGR) and how we face looming cuts into Medicare but somehow Congress always finds a way to kick the can down the road. This time we think it will be the same but with the fiscal cliff casting a shadow on other impending issues, it could take some serious lifting by Congress to get this done on time.
 |
| US Supreme Court rendering opinion in Affordable Care Hearings. |
Scope of Practice:
This year the Medical Society found itself involved in looking at the future of medicine and how the team approach to care can continue to grow in Michigan. At the start of the term, physician assistants and physicians came together to find ways to grow their partnership in Medicine and came out of those discussions with Senate Bill 384 which brought more clarification on the relationship between PA's and Physicians, strengthening it, providing greater avenues to provides the best care.
Physical Therapists made an attempt this year to provide direct access for patients, bypassing the physician in House Bill 4603. Nurses also were looking for some clarification on their profession and how they fit into the team approach of medicine with Senate Bill 481. Both of these pieces of legislation did not make through the entire legislative process but MSMS is looking forward to continuing discussions with these groups to better strengthen the medical team in Michigan.
Autism:
 |
| Dr. Phillip Wise with Lt. Governor Brian Calley at the signing of the Autism Legislation. |
Claims Tax:
Starting in 2011 there were rumblings from the federal government that the use tax that was set up by Michigan to tax the insurers that held Medicaid plans in Michigan was going to be ruled illegal and could penalize the State by holding back funds for Michigan's Medicaid program. A dilemma was presented to the legislature on what to do to replace the revenue needed to obtain the funds needed for Medicaid. Thus the claims tax proposal was created. Senate Bills 347 and 348 eliminated the use tax and created a claims assessment or tax on each of the insurance claims filed at a 1% level in Michigan. This was supposed to solve the revenue shortfall that would come with the elimination of the Use Tax but that as time moved on it proved not to be the case and this year the Medicaid faces a $140 Million shortfall that has to be filled somehow. The Senate tried to move Senate Bill 1359 which would provide an adjustable rate to make the need for revenue but was rejected by the Senate Appropriations committee. The legislature continues to look for solutions for the shortfall.
Abortion:
Abortion was an issue that seemed to be on the forefront this term with the legislature as looked tightens up regulations surrounding this hot button issue. There were several bills introduced and has testimony taken but in the end, these bills were placed into one large bill House Bill 5711. This legislation took a look at four major issues the legislature felt needed to be addressed: the licensing of facilities that perform abortions, the disposal of remains, and the liability protections needed by a physician who performs abortions, and the use of telemedicine in an abortion. Those against this bill called this issue the War on Women and continued to push for its stall in the House and the Senate. Those efforts did fail and in the early morning hours of the last day of session, the House concurred with the Senate and sent the bill to be enrolled and presented to the Governor. It’s currently uncertain if the Governor will sign the legislation.
Abortion found its way into the blue cross mutualization changes mentioned above with amendments that were added by the House to require that coverage for elective abortions be an opt-in coverage rather than an opt-out situation when purchasing coverage. We will have to wait and see the impact it will have on Michiganders.
Impaired Drivers:
 |
| Dr. Spanaki testifying with Senator Schuitmaker on Senate Bills 402 & 403 |
Bullying:
A major issue for the MSMS Alliance with past term was the creation of regulations for schools on how to handle instances of bullying. House Bill 4163 was created to provide the school districts have plans in place to handle bullying and plans that are specific to their school district but meet certain requirements required in the act. In December of 2011 Michigan joined other states by have the Governor sign Matt's Safe School Law into law.
Concussions and High School Athletes:
Watching local high school sports over the past several years there continues to be a push to be faster, be stronger, hit harder and just become more physical overall. With this drive the amount of concussions happening in High School athletics was rising sharply leaving physicians, parents, coaches, and school personal concerned for the safety of the students playing athletics. This lead to the introduction of Senate Bill 1122 and House Bill 5697. Both of these pieces of legislation set into motion procedures that needed to be taken by school personal, what clearance was needed to be obtained by the athlete to compete again and what literature was needed to be provided to the athletes and parents on concussions and their treatment. We are hopeful that this will protect those athletes that want to compete at their highest levels.
With a busy legislative term over, MSMS is looking forward to what the next legislative term will bring. Some of the same issues mentioned today could very well make their way back into the legislative picture in the coming term. Stay with MSMS to get the latest information on issues going through the legislature that affect you and your practice at http://www.msms.org.advocacy. We will be taking a break now until the start of the new term, hope you all have a great new year!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Legislative Update Week of December 10th
The final week of lame duck came to a close around 4:30am today, signalling the end of the work being done by the 96th legislature of Michigan. This final day did bring a flurry of issues though the House and Senate including money for a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings, replacement for the emergency manager law, repeal of the personal property tax, and the Detroit lighting authority just to name a few, lets take a look at the issues that will effect you:
Tort Reform:
The House Judiciary committee took up the tort reform bills that made their way from the Senate. Senate Bill 1115, 1117, and 1118 were considered in committee. The committee had a litany of legislation that it needed to consider on this past Wednesday. The committee finally was able to support 1115 and 1118 and sent them to the full House for their consideration. On the last day of session the House took up the remaining bills in the package and by 5:10pm, the House was sending to the Governor legislation that would be the most substantial tort reform that Michigan has seen for medical malpractice since the early nineties. Rumors have been floating around that the two other bills that did not make it through the process will be reintroduced in the coming term.
Abortion:
The House and Senate this week traded legislation, House Bill 5711, that addressed several issues surrounding abortion. One would make it illegal to perform an abortion on a woman who has been coerced into receiving one. Secondly there would be licensing requirement for those facilities that would perform abortions and would require reporting to the Department of Community Health. More information on the legislation can been seen at the link above.
Conscientious Objectors:
The House Insurance committee considered Senate Bill 975 which would provide the protection to physicians who chose not to perform a certain procedure due to a religious or moral objection. MSMS submitted a letter to the committee expressing some concerns we had with the legislation but more importantly praised the efforts of the sponsor of the legislation with his willingness to work with the medical community to address those concerns. The legislation did make it out of committee but did not make it out of the House. MSMS expects to work again with the sponsor in the coming term on the legislation.
With the legislative term coming to a close, we will be taking a break for a little bit. Check in next week as we will have a review of the legislative term discussing the issues that MSMS has worked on for the past two years. Comments are always welcome and we want to hear from you. We have a comment section with every article, please feel free to leave one. Keep up with all advocacy efforts at http://www.msms.org/advocacy.
Tort Reform:
The House Judiciary committee took up the tort reform bills that made their way from the Senate. Senate Bill 1115, 1117, and 1118 were considered in committee. The committee had a litany of legislation that it needed to consider on this past Wednesday. The committee finally was able to support 1115 and 1118 and sent them to the full House for their consideration. On the last day of session the House took up the remaining bills in the package and by 5:10pm, the House was sending to the Governor legislation that would be the most substantial tort reform that Michigan has seen for medical malpractice since the early nineties. Rumors have been floating around that the two other bills that did not make it through the process will be reintroduced in the coming term.
Abortion:
The House and Senate this week traded legislation, House Bill 5711, that addressed several issues surrounding abortion. One would make it illegal to perform an abortion on a woman who has been coerced into receiving one. Secondly there would be licensing requirement for those facilities that would perform abortions and would require reporting to the Department of Community Health. More information on the legislation can been seen at the link above.
Conscientious Objectors:
The House Insurance committee considered Senate Bill 975 which would provide the protection to physicians who chose not to perform a certain procedure due to a religious or moral objection. MSMS submitted a letter to the committee expressing some concerns we had with the legislation but more importantly praised the efforts of the sponsor of the legislation with his willingness to work with the medical community to address those concerns. The legislation did make it out of committee but did not make it out of the House. MSMS expects to work again with the sponsor in the coming term on the legislation.
With the legislative term coming to a close, we will be taking a break for a little bit. Check in next week as we will have a review of the legislative term discussing the issues that MSMS has worked on for the past two years. Comments are always welcome and we want to hear from you. We have a comment section with every article, please feel free to leave one. Keep up with all advocacy efforts at http://www.msms.org/advocacy.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Legislative Update Week of December 3rd
 |
| View of the wait into the House gallery. |
House:
The House Insurance committee finally meet after session on Wednesday to bring the agreement that the House, Senate, and Governor could agree to. The committee passed the legislation to the House Floor where it was amended again with final language that needed to be added. What was added? A fix for those who have medigap policies. The bill now requires the fund set up by the conversion to pay $120 Million yearly to subsidize the medigap policies until 2018. The House also added an elective abortion amendment that would require those who want to have coverage for an elective abortion to "opt in" for that coverage. The package will now head to the governor's desk for his signature.
The House Health Policy committee was scheduled to meet but with the Right to Work legislation being worked on that day, the committee was canceled.
Senate:
The Senate had a couple other items on their agenda that was health related this week, but as it was with the House, it was all about Right to Work. The Senate passed a series of three bills that made it illegal for those in the health insurance exchange to offer coverage for elective abortions unless the patient purchased an "opt in" coverage for the procedure. The package was sent to the House where it could be taken up since the House did consider some other controversial abortion regulations earlier in the year.
The Senate also considered and passed Senate Bill 975 despite some objections from the major medical groups. What this legislation would do, would provide protections for a physician who chooses not to treat a patient based on their religious beliefs. This raised several concerns to Senator , Kahn, a cardiologists, on the Senate floor saying that it goes against the oath that physician's take before entering into practice. The bill will now be sent to the House where with limited time in the legislative year probably will stay.
The House and Senate have one more week to consider items before they leave for the year. Tort Reform is expected to be taken up this week. Stay with MSMS at http://www.msms.org/advocacy to get the latest information on all of the action happening at the Capitol.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Legislative Update: Week of June 11th
As time winds down on the
legislative calendar with the summer break coming at the end of Thursday, the
activity in both chambers ramped up with the chambers considering school
retiree reform, tax reform, the new bridge to Canada, abortion and more. Let's review
the activities of the final week before summer break:
House:
With session times being set to
earlier times this week, most House committees did not meet this week.
The full House considered several
issues this week but one of the most controversial came from the House Health
Policy committee, the abortion omnibus, House Bill 5711. This bill was the
main part of the three bill package that addressed several issues that Right to
Life Michigan considered important to consider. Debate on the floor was
emotional, heated, and provided for several gavels from the speaker for inappropriate
remarks. Several members from both sides of the aisle had commented on their
desire not to vote on the legislation stating that it went way to far based on
the comments of supporters of the package said were a problem. After the
debate, the House did vote on 5711 with it passing 70-39 (Roll Call # 448).
Senate:
The Senate did have committees this
week but were very limited in the time they had to meet. The Senate Insurance
committee continued again to take testimony on the Patient's First Reform
package. Many stories were with the committee that said their physician had
some if not all of the responsibility in their stories and how the package
would not allow the physician and those who were wronged to receive the justice
they deserve. At the end of the committee they did not take a vote on the
package, with it now moving into the summer months.
The Senate Judiciary committee
considered and took testimony on several items concerning Michigan's Medical
Marihuana program including the MSMS supported House Bill 4851 which defines the
patient/physician relationship when dealing with medical marihuana. It is
unknown when the committee is expected to vote out the legislation. The Senate
Health Policy committee also met to consider Senate Bill 975 which provides an
opportunity for a health professional if they choose not to treat based on
religious objections to what treatment is required. The committee just took
testimony on the legislation similar to what they did last week on the nursing
scope expansion bill. It is unknown when the committee will consider the
legislation again.
The Senate floor was less lively
than the House's this week but they did move a two pieces of legislation that
is supported by MSMS. Senate Bills 402 and 403 that provides
protections for physicians to voluntarily report patients to the Secretary of
State if they believe in their professional judgment that the patient is
impaired and not able to drive. Physicians are not making the decision whether
the patient can drive or not, that is the duty of the Secretary of State, but
it allows them to report and have liability protections for reporting to the
Secretary of State. These bills were voted out of the Senate and sent to the
House for their consideration.
Now the legislature goes on break until July 18th where they
will meet for one day. The MSMS Legislative blog will be taking a break until
the Legislature comes back into session unless there is breaking election news
to post. Stay with the MSMS advocacy section of the website at http://www.msms.org/advocacy.
Also with elections right around the corner your support of the candidates
helps keep things like tort reform intact. Go to http://www.mdpac.org to see how you can help!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Legislative Update: Week of June 4th
This week saw the Senate concentrating on finishing up the budget, making this two years in a row that the budget for the state has been finished before the annual summer recess. The House concentrated on its income tax relief package at the beginning of the week and passing more education reforms by the end of the week. Lets take a closer look though at items that have an impact on medicine:
House:
The House Health Policy committee met this week to consider House Bill 5711, 5712, and 5713 which amend the public health code to cover several changes concerning abortion. As with abortion, testimony was very emotional, with the Michigan chapter of Right to Life starting out the testimony. 5711 is an omnibus bill that took four pieces of legislation and smashed them together creating a bill that dealt with fetal remain disposal, liability coverage for those preforming a abortion, and two with coercion and being forced into an abortion. Dr.Matthew Allswede, a obstetrician and President of the Michigan chapter of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists testified summing up that with the passage of these bills they face threatening further growing the need for obstetricians in the state. Some members of the committee from both sides of the aisle had issues with the legislation but at the end of the day were forced to vote the legislation out of committee. The bills now await action on the House floor which will happen next week.
The House Judiciary committee was scheduled to meet but was canceled due to the impending problems with Detroit lighting. Hopefully the committee will meet this coming Thursday, pending any other reasons to postpone the hearing.
Senate:
The Senate Health Policy committee met this week, although very briefly, considered and took testimony on Senate Bill 481 which would increase the scope of practice for advance practice nurses. MSMS stands adamantly opposed to the expansion and expressed those concerns with the committee. Since the committee was short on time no action was taken on the legislation and it rumored to be reworked in a way that physicians could consider. Once we have more information, we will be sure to share it, as for now we stand ready to work with the committee and fight irresponsible expansion of scope.
The Senate Insurance committee was also short on time this week but continued taking testimony on the Senate version of the Patients First Reform package (SB 1115-1118). It is also rumored that the committee could consider taking a vote next week on the legislation. Stay tuned for updates.
Elections:
The race for congress in Michigan's 11th district just got dicier as the Secretary of State finds that the signatures to get on the primary ballot may have been forged by someone in Rep. McCotter's campaign therefore not making him eligible for the ballot, leaving a virtual unknown running as the Republican front runner. Former Michigan Senator Nancy Cassis as committed to running a write-in campaign to hopefully win the primary ballot. If this happens, it will be the first time that this has been successful in Michigan for that particular office. Things will now heat up in Michigan's 11th.
On a personal note we at MSMS want to offer our condolences to Senator Goeff Hansen and his family with the loss of their son. All of us at MSMS offer our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Continue to stay with MSMS Legislative Update to gain all the information happening at the capitol and more go to http://www.msms.org/advocacy.
MDPAC needs your help to keep Michigan's tort reform intact! Support MDPAC today at http://www.mdpac.org.
House:
The House Health Policy committee met this week to consider House Bill 5711, 5712, and 5713 which amend the public health code to cover several changes concerning abortion. As with abortion, testimony was very emotional, with the Michigan chapter of Right to Life starting out the testimony. 5711 is an omnibus bill that took four pieces of legislation and smashed them together creating a bill that dealt with fetal remain disposal, liability coverage for those preforming a abortion, and two with coercion and being forced into an abortion. Dr.Matthew Allswede, a obstetrician and President of the Michigan chapter of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists testified summing up that with the passage of these bills they face threatening further growing the need for obstetricians in the state. Some members of the committee from both sides of the aisle had issues with the legislation but at the end of the day were forced to vote the legislation out of committee. The bills now await action on the House floor which will happen next week.
The House Judiciary committee was scheduled to meet but was canceled due to the impending problems with Detroit lighting. Hopefully the committee will meet this coming Thursday, pending any other reasons to postpone the hearing.
Senate:
The Senate Health Policy committee met this week, although very briefly, considered and took testimony on Senate Bill 481 which would increase the scope of practice for advance practice nurses. MSMS stands adamantly opposed to the expansion and expressed those concerns with the committee. Since the committee was short on time no action was taken on the legislation and it rumored to be reworked in a way that physicians could consider. Once we have more information, we will be sure to share it, as for now we stand ready to work with the committee and fight irresponsible expansion of scope.
The Senate Insurance committee was also short on time this week but continued taking testimony on the Senate version of the Patients First Reform package (SB 1115-1118). It is also rumored that the committee could consider taking a vote next week on the legislation. Stay tuned for updates.
Elections:
The race for congress in Michigan's 11th district just got dicier as the Secretary of State finds that the signatures to get on the primary ballot may have been forged by someone in Rep. McCotter's campaign therefore not making him eligible for the ballot, leaving a virtual unknown running as the Republican front runner. Former Michigan Senator Nancy Cassis as committed to running a write-in campaign to hopefully win the primary ballot. If this happens, it will be the first time that this has been successful in Michigan for that particular office. Things will now heat up in Michigan's 11th.
On a personal note we at MSMS want to offer our condolences to Senator Goeff Hansen and his family with the loss of their son. All of us at MSMS offer our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Continue to stay with MSMS Legislative Update to gain all the information happening at the capitol and more go to http://www.msms.org/advocacy.
MDPAC needs your help to keep Michigan's tort reform intact! Support MDPAC today at http://www.mdpac.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)