During the week of June 3, Governor Whitmer signed several bills that were supported by the MHA. These bills are related to telehealth services and behavioral health licensing. The legislation aims to support healthcare providers in serving patients and ensure that in-person visits remain essential for positive health outcomes.
One bill, Public Act 50 of 2024, originally Senate Bill 227 and sponsored by Sen. Dan Lauwers, was also supported by the MHA. This bill updates the state’s child caring institution licensing laws to align with emergency intervention language used in the Mental Health Code. The legislation is especially important for facilities seeking licensure as a Pediatric Residential Treatment Facility, as it creates alignment between the Mental Health Code and the licensing structure for child caring institutions.
Another set of bills establish payment parity for telehealth services and protections for telemedicine access through Medicaid and state regulated insurance products. House Bills 4131, 4213, 4579, and 4580, now known as Public Acts 51-53 of 2024, aim to ensure that all patients have equal access to quality healthcare regardless of their location or ability to pay for services. These bills also provide protections for patients who rely on telemedicine services to manage their mental health conditions.
Members who have questions about these bills or how they may impact their healthcare facilities can contact Lauren LaPine or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA for more information.
