Legislative Update
Behavioral Health Integration Update
On Wednesday, November 30, the Senate voted on Senate Bills 597 and 598 a scaled back version of Senator Mike Shirkey’s behavioral health integration package.
Senate Bill 597, as substituted, would fuse physical and behavioral health coverage and services for foster care kids under a Medicaid health plan. At one point, the dual eligible population was included in a proposed substitute, but that population was removed during negotiations. SB 598 would, among other things, restructure regional PIHP government boards.
Both Senate Bill 597 and Senate Bill 598 failed by a vote of 17-19 and 15-19, respectively. While it is possible some form of the bills could resurface in the House the week of December 5, the prospects of passage in either chamber were diminishing, as of this writing.
Discrimination in Organ Donation
House Bill 4762 (S-5) cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Nov. 29. The bill would put into place legal protections against discrimination based on disability within the organ donation process. The bill could see further action on the Senate floor on Wednesday, December 7, which could tee it up for the Governor to sign into law before the end of the year. The Arc Supports.
Legislative Schedule
The Michigan House and Senate updated their respective calendars this week. The House plans to be in session the week of December 5-9. The Senate plans to be in session on Wednesday, December 7, and possibly on Tuesday, December 13 prior to adjourning for the year. Lame duck activity is expected to be minimal with the exception of a possible supplemental funding measure.
Regulatory Update
Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Services for Youth in Foster Care
Children in the state foster care and juvenile justice systems experiencing a behavioral health crisis will have expanded access to services under a new effort being spearhead by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Under the proposal outlined in a press release issued on November 30, MDHHS is rolling out a new contracting model with child caring institutions to keep more beds open and staffed for children in crisis.