Senate Bill 220 amends Michigan's mental health code, primarily affecting individuals receiving mental health services and the community mental health programs that provide them. The bill establishes a formalized statewide mediation process for resolving disputes between service recipients (or their representatives) and mental health service providers regarding the planning and delivery of services. It mandates that providers offer mediation, sets timelines for the mediation process, and requires the Department to fund and contract with mediation organizations. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for mental health evaluations at designated hospitals, including a requirement for preadmission screening units to complete examinations within two hours in most cases.
Senate Bill 221 establishes a new process for individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses who have mental health issues. The bill allows for the diversion of these defendants into assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) if the prosecuting attorney, defendant, and defense counsel agree to an assessment and the defendant meets the AOT criteria. If a court orders AOT for up to 180 days, the misdemeanor charges remain pending but are dismissed after 90 days (or 180 days for serious misdemeanors). This diversion pathway provides an alternative to standard mental competency procedures for eligible misdemeanor offenders.
SB 135 requires Michigan health insurers to provide dependent coverage until age 26, with identical benefits and premiums as other dependents. It mandates coverage for newborns from birth, including treatment for congenital defects, and prohibits denying coverage based on factors like out-of-wedlock birth or tax filing status. The bill also bans lifetime and annual dollar limits on essential health benefits (such as hospital care, maternity services, mental health, and prescription drugs) and requires no cost-sharing for preventive services meeting federal guidelines. These changes apply to individual and small group health insurance policies sold in Michigan, directly affecting insurers and their policyholders.
SB 38 amends Michigan's Social Welfare Act to explicitly include perinatal and gynecological services in Medicaid coverage for eligible individuals. The bill updates Section 109 (MCL 400.109) to require the department to provide guidelines ensuring these services are covered under the state's medical assistance plan. This directly affects Medicaid recipients in Michigan who need care related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum recovery, or women's health conditions. The change ensures these services are formally recognized in coverage rules, aligning with existing Medicaid requirements for other medical services.
Senate Bill 39 requires Michigan's medical assistance program to provide coverage for remote ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests. This allows patients to receive these services in their residence or other off-site locations through telemedicine. The bill mandates the department to update reimbursement rules for fee-for-service and managed care plans, enabling payment for these remote services using established CPT codes when the same standard of care is met. Reimbursement for these remote services is contingent on using HIPAA-compliant, FDA-approved digital technology for data transmission and FDA-cleared monitoring solutions for at-home use.
Senate Bill 36 expands Michigan's essential health provider recruitment strategy to include midwives. The bill amends the public health code, adding midwives to the list of "designated professionals" eligible for a state-administered debt repayment program. Under this program, midwives who have incurred educational debt may receive repayment for their loans or expenses. In exchange, they must commit to practicing full-time in a state-designated health resource shortage area for a specified period.
Senate Bill 32 amends Michigan's insurance code to require insurers offering medical malpractice policies to annually provide specific information. These insurers must submit data about their policies related to perinatal care services to the Department in a manner it determines. Within 60 days, the Department must then forward this information to the Department of Health and Human Services. This data sharing is intended to support a study required under the public health code. The bill will not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 29 also becomes law.
SB 94 prohibits drug manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors from restricting 340B program pharmacies from accessing or receiving 340B drugs, which are discounted medications for safety-net healthcare providers. It requires 340B entities (like community health centers) to submit annual compliance reports starting in 2026, including program audits and community impact details. Additionally, drug manufacturers must report price increases exceeding 15% for drugs costing over $40 per treatment course, including cost data and patent details. These provisions directly affect pharmaceutical companies, participating pharmacies, and healthcare providers enrolled in the federal 340B drug pricing program.
SB 60 removes the expiration date (sunset) from Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This compact allows physicians licensed in one participating state to more easily practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. The bill directly affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines, particularly in neighboring states that are part of the compact. It does not change Michigan's physician licensing requirements within the state but extends the existing agreement to continue enabling interstate medical practice.
