HB 5457 creates a state fund to support hyperbaric oxygen therapy through grants and a temporary pilot program. The Department of Health and Human Services will administer the fund, using it for grants and operating the pilot program. After the pilot concludes, any remaining funds will transfer to the general state fund. The bill requires another bill (HB 5456) to be enacted first.
HB 5456 establishes a pilot program providing free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to Michigan veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill creates a state grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, funding providers to deliver treatment at no cost to eligible veterans. Providers must use FDA-cleared chambers meeting specific safety standards and be accredited by organizations like the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine. The program requires the department to implement rules within 12 months and ends after the pilot period concludes.
HB 5387 amends Michigan's "Mozelle senior or vulnerable adult medical alert act" to specifically include "missing veterans at risk" in the definition of persons eligible for emergency alerts. The bill defines a "missing veteran at risk" as an active-duty service member or veteran reported missing with a documented physical or mental health condition. This change directly affects veterans who go missing and have health conditions, ensuring they are covered under the same alert protocols as seniors and vulnerable adults. The law does not create new procedures but clarifies who qualifies for existing emergency reporting mechanisms.
House Bill 4468 amends Michigan's insurance code to require health insurers to provide specific coverage related to gender transition. The bill mandates coverage for all adverse consequences, including short- or long-term side effects, related to an enrollee's gender transition procedure or treatment. It also requires coverage for annual mental and physical health monitoring for these enrollees. Furthermore, HB 4468 requires coverage for any procedure or treatment necessary to reverse an enrollee's gender transition, even if the enrollee was not covered by the policy at the time of the original procedure.
House Bill 4466 proposes to amend Michigan's Public Health Code. The bill seeks to establish sanctions for licensed healthcare professionals who perform gender reassignment procedures or provide related treatment to minors. It would modify sections 16221 and 16226 of the code, which pertain to professional licensing and disciplinary actions. This legislation directly affects healthcare providers and minors in Michigan by regulating the types of medical services that can be offered.
HB 4467, titled the "protecting minors from chemical and surgical mutilation act," prohibits health care professionals from providing specific medical treatments to individuals under 18 years old. It bans administering puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and certain surgeries when performed to alter a minor's physical appearance or affirm their psychological perception of sex if inconsistent with their biological sex. The bill includes exceptions for minors with medically verifiable disorders of sex development or for treating complications from previous gender-transition procedures. Individuals alleging a violation may bring civil actions for remedies, and the Attorney General is authorized to enforce the act.
HB 5150 amends Michigan's Public Health Code to update licensing requirements for respiratory therapists. It modifies existing sections and adds new provisions (18710 and 18712) related to licensure eligibility, education standards, and scope of practice. The bill directly affects respiratory therapists seeking or maintaining their licenses in Michigan by changing specific regulatory requirements. These changes aim to modernize the licensure process within the state's healthcare framework. The bill was introduced on October 28, 2025, and referred to the Health Policy Committee.
HB 4839 requires Michigan's medical assistance program (like Medicaid) to cover only generic drugs when a brand-name equivalent exists, unless a doctor specifically indicates otherwise on the prescription. Doctors can override this by writing "dispense as written" or "d.a.w." on a written prescription, initialing a preprinted statement allowing substitution, or verbally specifying brand-name use. This directly affects patients enrolled in Michigan's medical assistance program and healthcare providers writing prescriptions for covered medications. The bill aims to standardize coverage toward cost-effective generic drugs while preserving physician discretion in specific cases.
HB 4902 repeals a specific provision (MCL 333.18109) from Michigan's Public Health Code that previously allowed certain counselors to obtain a limited license. This change eliminates an existing pathway for counselors to practice under a restricted license. The bill directly affects counselors who might have qualified for this limited license option under the repealed law. The action removes this specific licensing mechanism from state law without creating new requirements or benefits.
HB 4903 modifies relicensing requirements for licensed professional counselors and limited licensed counselors in Michigan. It simplifies renewal for those applying more than three years after their license expires by allowing them to either retake a national exam (like the National Counselor Examination) or prove they meet certification standards, instead of requiring additional training. The bill also updates verification processes for out-of-state licenses and maintains existing disclosure statement requirements. These changes directly affect counselors seeking to renew expired licenses, particularly those with significant gaps in practice. The bill does not create new requirements but adjusts existing relicensing pathways for greater flexibility.
