Healthcare

passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 973: Insurance: health insurers; state-based insurance exchange; provide for. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0977'26

This bill establishes a new nonprofit corporation to operate Michigan's state-based health insurance exchange, which will serve as a marketplace for consumers and small businesses to purchase qualified health plans. The legislation creates a 12-member board to govern the exchange, with members appointed from the insurance industry, consumer advocates, and public officials to oversee its operations. Key provisions include setting up rules for conflict of interest, defining roles for state agencies, and enabling a system for direct enrollment assistance to help consumers navigate the marketplace.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a state-based health insurance exchange to expand access to qualified health plans for consumers and small businesses.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 451: Consumer credit: credit reports and reporting agencies; collection and reporting of medical debt information; regulate. Creates new act.

SB 451 prohibits consumer reporting agencies in Michigan from including medical debt in credit reports, protecting residents from negative credit impacts due to unpaid medical bills. The law requires collection agencies to disclose this restriction in writing to consumers and forbids them from claiming medical debt will appear on credit reports unless the debt relates to a mortgage exceeding the federal conforming loan limit ($766,550 for 2024). It directly affects consumers who receive medical care but have unpaid bills, as their credit scores will no longer be harmed by such debt. The law also provides legal remedies, including damages and attorney fees, for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents medical debt from harming credit scores, protecting patients from financial penalties related to healthcare access and reducing barriers to care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 450: Health facilities: hospitals; certain hospital financial assistance policies; make subject to the hospital financial assistance act. Amends sec. 17 of 1913 PA 350 (MCL 331.167). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0449'25

SB 450 amends Michigan law to require public hospital boards to follow the Hospital Financial Assistance Act when setting patient payment policies for non-charity care. It directly affects county public hospitals by making their financial assistance policies subject to existing state standards under the Hospital Financial Assistance Act. The bill updates Section 17 of the 1913 Public Act 350 to clarify that hospital trustees' authority over patient fees is governed by this act, ensuring consistent financial assistance rules across public hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public hospitals to comply with Hospital Financial Assistance Act, ensuring consistent patient payment policies and protecting access to care for non-charity patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 701: Consumer credit: interest rates; maximum interest rate allowed for medical debt; modify. Amends sec. 3 of 1976 PA 331 (MCL 445.903). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0702'25

SB 701 amends Section 3 of Michigan's Consumer Protection Act (MCL 445.903) to modify provisions related to unfair credit practices. The bill title indicates it aims to set a maximum interest rate for medical debt, but the provided bill text only shows the current language of Section 3 (which lists unfair trade practices like deceptive advertising, false representations, and misleading credit terms), not the proposed changes. The context does not include the specific amendment language or how it would alter the medical debt interest rate. Without the actual proposed text of the amendment, the precise policy change cannot be summarized. The bill is currently in committee for review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill sets maximum interest rate for medical debt, protecting patients from excessive financial burden related to healthcare costs, aligning with patient rights and access indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 449: Health facilities: hospitals; hospital financial assistance act; enact. Creates new act.

SB 449 requires Michigan hospitals to create and implement financial assistance programs for uninsured patients and those with high medical debt relative to income. Specifically, hospitals must offer up to 100% discounts for patients earning at or below 350% of federal poverty guidelines, base eligibility on objective income metrics, and publish program details clearly on bills, statements, and websites in plain language. Hospitals must also report annual data on program usage and debt relief to the state health department by 2027, with violations subject to $10,000 civil fines. The law directly affects uninsured patients and hospital financial operations, aiming to reduce barriers to care for low-income individuals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to provide financial assistance for low-income patients, expanding access and reducing debt burdens, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2026

SB 707: Health occupations: marriage and family therapists; licensing requirements for marriage and family therapists; modify, and require continuing education. Amends secs. 16903 & 16909 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16903 & 333.16909) & adds secs. 16909a & 16914.

SB 707 amends Michigan's licensing rules for marriage and family therapists. It updates educational requirements (e.g., specific coursework in family studies and therapy methodology), increases supervised clinical experience standards (300 direct client hours with 1:5 supervision ratio), and adds a "limited license" pathway for trainees. The bill restricts titles like "marriage counselor" or "family therapist" to only licensed professionals, preventing unlicensed individuals from using these terms. It directly affects therapists seeking or renewing licenses, training programs, and the public who rely on qualified providers for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens mental health licensing by requiring specific education, increased supervised hours, and restricting title misuse, ensuring qualified professionals provide services and protecting patient safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 760: Trade: business regulation; availability of companion chatbots to minors; prohibit. Creates new act.

SB 760, the "Leading Ethical AI Development for Kids Act," prohibits operators of companion chatbots from making these AI systems available to minors (under 18) if they could encourage self-harm, unsafe behavior, or harmful interactions like sexual content. The bill specifically bans chatbots that simulate emotional relationships by retaining personal data, asking unsolicited emotional questions, or prioritizing user validation over safety. Operators face $25,000 fines per violation and can be sued by harmed minors or their guardians for damages. This applies to business-owned chatbots designed for ongoing emotional engagement - not customer service or internal tools - and takes effect in 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits AI chatbots that could cause self-harm in minors, directly protecting mental health safety - a core healthcare concern.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots to prevent harm to minors, aligning with consumer protection and data privacy safeguards for ethical tech use.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 297: Health facilities: hospitals; mandatory overtime for nurses; prohibit except under certain circumstances. Amends sec. 20165 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.20165) & adds sec. 17233. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0296'25

Senate Bill 297 aims to protect registered professional nurses by ensuring their refusal to work beyond their predetermined schedule is not grounds for administrative action. It also establishes penalties for hospitals that violate rules related to mandatory overtime for nurses, as referenced in section 21526. Hospitals found in violation could face an administrative fine of $1,000 for each instance, along with other potential sanctions. This bill amends the Public Health Code to implement these provisions, directly affecting nurses and hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects nurses' right to refuse mandatory overtime, prevents burnout, and ensures safer patient care through hospital penalties under Public Health Code amendments.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects nurses' right to refuse mandatory overtime without penalty, imposes $1,000 fines for hospital violations, directly strengthening workplace safety and hours regulations under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 296: Health facilities: hospitals; mandatory overtime for nurses; prohibit except under certain circumstances. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 21526. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0297'25

Senate Bill 296 prohibits hospitals from requiring registered professional nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled, on-call, or voluntarily agreed-upon hours. It mandates that nurses working 12 or more consecutive hours receive 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time immediately afterward. Exceptions to this prohibition include declared states of emergency, mass casualty incidents, certain patient-care procedures, and situations where an oncoming nurse is unexpectedly absent. The bill also protects nurses from retaliation if they refuse work assignments that exceed these limits and requires hospitals to post notices informing nurses of these provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits mandatory nurse overtime and mandates rest periods, directly protecting healthcare workers' well-being to improve patient safety and care quality within healthcare facilities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits mandatory overtime for nurses and mandates 8 hours off after 12-hour shifts, directly protecting worker rest periods and workplace safety under Labor: hours and wages.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Michigan · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5455: Health occupations: physicians; interstate medical licensure compact; update. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 16189.

HB 5455 enacts Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, allowing physicians licensed in participating states to more easily obtain licenses in Michigan and other member states. This directly affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines, particularly through telehealth or in rural areas with healthcare shortages. The bill establishes a streamlined "expedited license" process for eligible physicians who meet specific criteria (like holding a full license in another member state and having no disciplinary history), while requiring physicians to follow the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located during care. It does not change Michigan's existing medical practice laws but creates a new pathway for multi-state licensure through a standardized compact process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines physician licensing across states to improve access, particularly in rural areas with healthcare shortages and via telehealth, directly advancing patient access to care.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare