Rep. Rachel Hood

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It mandates that insurers cannot deny coverage for remote care if the service is appropriate and provided by a licensed professional in the patient's state. The law defines telemedicine as remote communication using secure audio or video technology or online messaging. While patients still pay the same copays and deductibles as they would for a physical appointment, the insurance coverage itself must be equal to that of face-to-face care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients who use remote medical services by ensuring financial parity between virtual and physical appointments. The legislation does not alter existing rules about where telehealth can be conducted or who must verify patient eligibility, but it specifically mandates equal payment rates for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs to expand coverage for telemedicine services, specifically clarifying that visits originating from a patient's home or school are covered. It defines a "distant site" as the location of the healthcare professional providing the service, allowing for both audio-only and video interactions. The legislation requires providers to verify patient eligibility, ensure a private environment for the visit, and follow clinical guidelines while prohibiting restrictions on reimbursement rates or technology that are more strict than those for in-person care. Additionally, it ensures that services delivered through federally qualified health centers are eligible for reimbursement and mandates that managed care programs include these telemedicine services in their rate development.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. It allocates approximately $1.07 billion in total appropriations, which includes money from the state general fund, federal revenues, and various specific fees and restricted state funds. The legislation details how these resources will be distributed to support departmental administration, water resources management, and numerous environmental programs. By establishing these financial limits and sources, the bill enables the department to carry out its regulatory and operational duties during the specified period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies in Michigan to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. The law specifically mandates that these plans include coverage for therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin. It applies to all health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed within the state, as well as those issued outside the state for Michigan residents. The changes take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain tax-exempt organizations in Michigan to claim a state income tax credit for wages paid to employees from specific targeted groups. To qualify, employers must hire individuals certified by the state unemployment insurance agency as members of these groups and pay them qualified wages during the tax year. The credit is calculated as 50% of the federal work opportunity tax credit the employer would otherwise claim, but it can only be used to reduce taxes withheld from employee paychecks and cannot result in a refund if the credit exceeds those withholdings. Employers must report this credit on their annual state tax return, and the measure takes effect for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Michigan employers to claim a state income tax credit equal to 50% of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit they receive for hiring employees from specific targeted groups. To qualify, workers must be certified by the Michigan unemployment insurance agency, and the credit applies only to wages paid to these individuals during the tax year. The legislation also clarifies that any portion of the credit exceeding the employer's tax liability will not be refunded, and it outlines how flow-through entities can claim their share of the credit.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 20 to 27, 2024, as Michigan Beach Safety Week to highlight safety measures for visitors to the state's lakes and beaches. The bill serves as a public awareness campaign encouraging people to follow specific safety guidelines, such as learning to swim, avoiding alcohol near water, and heeding warning signs. By formally declaring this week, the legislature aims to remind residents and tourists about potential aquatic hazards like rip currents before the summer season begins. The measure does not create new laws or funding but rather promotes existing safety practices through an official state proclamation.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Michigan Mental Health Code to officially include physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists in the legal definition of mental health professionals. By amending multiple sections of the existing law, the legislation allows these advanced practice providers to perform certain examinations and deliver services that were previously restricted to other types of licensed clinicians. The change directly affects mental health service providers, patients, and the regulatory framework governing who can deliver care under the state's mental health system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Strategic Fund to provide more detailed annual reports on its economic development activities to state officials and the public. The key provision mandates that these reports include specific data on every project, such as the number of jobs created or retained, the average salaries of those positions, and the total amount of financial assistance given. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements to immediately notify legislative leaders if a recipient of significant funding files for bankruptcy and to include specific financial metrics for recent investment programs. These changes aim to increase transparency by ensuring the public can see exactly how state funds are used and what results they produce.