The Michigan House of Representatives returned to session this week for the first time since completing its budget work, meeting for just two days. The Senate did not meet. Both Chambers are expected to be out until the week following Labor Day.
Primary Care Transformation Package Introduced
House Democrats unveiled an eight-bill Primary Care Transformation Package (House Bills 6288, 6289, 6290, 6291, 6292, 6293, 6294, and 6295) aimed at expanding access to primary care and strengthening Michigan’s health care workforce. The package would gradually increase the share of health care spending directed to primary care under state-contracted health plans from 6 percent to 12 percent over eight years. MSMS has worked closely with legislators to impress upon them the importance of investing in primary care and growing Michigan’s physician workforce.
The package also includes proposals to establish a Primary Care Access Commission and an Office of Primary Care Transformation within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, codify the MiDOCS physician recruitment program, create the MiNURSES loan repayment and scholarship program, provide tax credits and grants for training future providers, and establish a medical education loan program for students pursuing primary care careers.
We are pleased that there is bipartisan support for several of the bills and will work closely with lawmakers as the package advances.
Facility Fee Legislation Gets House Attention
Lawmakers also continued discussion of HB 5770, which would prohibit hospital facility fees on many outpatient services. Insurers and independent physicians testified in support, citing concerns about rising costs and the impact of hospital consolidation on independent practices.
Several lawmakers, however, raised concerns about the potential impact on rural and critical-access hospitals that rely heavily on outpatient revenue. The bill was not advanced by the House Health Policy Committee but was discharged to the House floor, meaning it could receive a vote when the House returns.
The Committee adopted an H-1 substitute 11-0, with amendments under development addressing rural and independent hospitals and federally qualified health centers. Several major health systems and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association registered opposition.
MSMS is closely monitoring HB 5770 and will continue to engage as the legislation moves forward.
For further information, please contact MSMS Director of Government Affairs, Kate Dorsey, at kdorsey@msms.org