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Budget Constraints and Election-Year Pressures Shape Michigan’s Legislative Agenda

News & Media

Budget Constraints and Election-Year Pressures Shape Michigan’s Legislative Agenda

Michigan lawmakers are returning to Lansing facing a compressed legislative calendar and a more constrained fiscal environment. Economists at the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference recently lowered projected General Fund and School Aid Fund revenues for FY 2026 by nearly $800 million, limiting the resources available as negotiations begin on the next state budget. While revenues are still expected to grow modestly year over year, the downward revisions underscore that budget work will dominate the early months of the session. Once a budget is completed, attention will quickly shift away from policymaking as many legislators turn to campaigning ahead of the November election.

Within that narrow window, House Republicans have signaled an aggressive policy agenda, particularly around health care. Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said Republicans intend to “take on the drug companies, the insurances, and the hospitals and these health systems,” arguing that consolidation has gone too far. A central focus, he said, will be strengthening rural hospitals by increasing funding and oversight to ensure access and quality of care in underserved communities. How far that agenda advances will depend largely on budget negotiations and the limited time available before election-year politics take over.

Meanwhile, consideration of other legislative initiatives continues. MSMS is currently monitoring several scope of practice bills, including House Bills 4399 and 5446, which would allow unsupervised practice of medicine for nurse practitioners and licensure for naturopaths, respectively. In a related effort, MSMS is working closely with other physician specialty societies to introduce and advance title transparency legislation.

This week the House Health Policy Committee took up several bills. Most notably for physicians, the Committee heard testimony and voted on House Bill 5455, which would re-enter Michigan into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, after a sunset provision was triggered last March to withdraw from the Compact.

Opportunities to Meet with Legislators

The MSMS Advocacy Day is scheduled for March 11, 2026, beginning at 9:00 am. Physicians have a unique and vital role to play in the legislative process.  Decisions made in Lansing directly impact the practice medicine and patient care. Your voice, experience, and relationships with legislators are essential tools for ensuring that public policy reflects the needs of the profession and patients. Advocacy Day is an excellent opportunity for physicians to advocate for medicine in Michigan.

Another way to connect with your elected officials is to attend a local Coffee Hour event. These in-district events are hosted by legislators to make it easier for their constituents to share views and concerns. Currently scheduled events are listed below:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24

  • Senator Mary Cavanagh (D) Coffee Hours 11:30am to 1:00pm. State Senator Mary Cavanagh’s District Office: 17346 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI 48219

  • Senator Mary Cavanagh (D) Coffee Hours 1:00pm to 2:00pm. State Senator Mary Cavanagh’s District Office: 17346 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI 48219

MONDAY, JANUARY 26

  • Representative Ann Bollin (R) Local Office Hour 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Coffee Beanery, 4433 Old U.S. 23 in Brighton

  • Representative Ann Bollin (R) Local Office Hour 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wixom Public Library, 49015 Pontiac Trail in Wixom

  • Senator John Cherry (D) Community Conversation 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Krapohl Senior Center: 5473 Bicentennial Dr G, Mt Morris Township, MI 48458

  • Representative Erin Byrnes (D) Community Conversation 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dearborn Heights Libraries: 24602 Van Born Rd. Dearborn Heights, MI 48125

  • Senator Sarah Anthony (D) Coffee Hours 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Union Missionary Baptist Church: 500 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Lansing, MI 48915

  • Senator Rosemary Bayer (D) Coffee Hours 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Farmington Community Library: 32737 W. 12 Mile Rd. Farmington, MI 48334

  • Representatives Jason Hoskins (D) Community Conversation 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Southfield Public Library: 26300 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI 48076. ~Special Guests: Senator Jeremy Moss (D) and Representatives Natalie Price (D) and Samantha Steckloff (D) 

  • Senator Veronica Klinefelt (D) Coffee Hours 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fraser VFW Post 6691: 17075 Anita Ave, Fraser, MI 48026

  • Senator Kevin Hertel (D) Coffee Hours 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Atwater: 1175 Lakepointe St. Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

  • Senator Stephanie Chang (D) Coffee Hour 3:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. Awafi Cafe: 9000 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck, MI 48212

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

  • Representative Betsy Coffia (D) Office Hours 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Leelanau County Governmental Center: 8527 E Government Center Dr. Suttons Bay, MI 49653

  • Senator John Cherry (D) Coffee Hours 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Flushing Senior Center: 106 Elm St. Flushing, MI 48433

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16

  • Representative Ann Bollin (R) Local Office Hour 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Walled Lake City Hall, 1499 E. West Maple Road in Walled Lake

  • Representative Ann Bollin (R) Local Office Hour  11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Coffee Beanery, 4433 Old U.S. 23 in Brighton