Updates About Agency Policy Updates

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking applications for its Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Program, which funds projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for nursing home residents. Eligible organizations, including hospitals, academic institutions, nursing facilities, and nonprofit groups, can apply for grants to support innovative programs that go beyond standard care requirements. A total of $5 million is available for projects running from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

Interested applicants must register for the EGrAMS system and request an application by May 16 at 5 pm, with completed applications due by May 22 at 3 pm. MDHHS will also host a pre-application conference on April 8 at 1:30 pm to provide guidance on the grant process. For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS Health and Aging Services Administration website.

The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine marks a significant shift in federal agency authority, impacting how regulations are interpreted and enforced across various sectors, including health care, environmental protection, and more. For decades, under Chevron, courts deferred to agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutes, but now, judges will hold greater discretion in evaluating these interpretations themselves. The 6-3 ruling, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, emphasized that agencies do not possess unique expertise in resolving statutory gray areas and that courts must now independently scrutinize agency interpretations instead of deferring to them automatically.

The ruling has polarized opinions, with conservatives applauding it as a check on executive overreach and liberals warning of potential chaos and setbacks in regulatory protections. This decision is expected to lead to increased legal challenges to federal regulations and could reshape how future administrations navigate policy implementation amid judicial scrutiny. It also raises questions about the future of major policy initiatives as administrations navigate a landscape where judicial decisions play an increased role in shaping regulatory outcomes.

Governor Whitmer and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) are introducing new licensing rules for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to alleviate prescription drug costs for Michiganders. These changes, outlined on a newly launched DIFS website, stem from a set of prescription drug bills enacted last year. Governor Whitmer has stressed the importance of ensuring affordable access to necessary medications without forcing tough choices between health and other expenses.

Director Anita Fox highlighted the role of PBMs in managing drug benefits and the significance of DIFS’ licensing authority in safeguarding Michiganders from soaring drug expenses. The legislation, born from recommendations by the Prescription Drug Task Force, imposed crucial consumer safeguards, including oversight on PBM licenses, bans on “gag clauses” and “spread pricing,” and requirements for PBMs to furnish transparency reports to DIFS. These measures aim to provide clarity, reduce costs, and enhance access to crucial drug cost information for Michigan residents.