Updates About Budget

In 2024, two bills passed by the Michigan Legislature requiring schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans were signed into law (Publict Acts 36 and 37). However, the bills were contingent on the Legislature appropriating sufficient funding to implement the response plans. As of now, the current $321 million school safety budget lacks dedicated funding for the cardiac response plans. A Senate proposal to allocate $25 million for safety measures, including AED devices, was also not included in the final FY 25-26 budget.

In the absence of a sufficient appropriation, the law cannot be enforced and school districts cannot be not required to comply. With approximately 5,000 public and nonpublic schools statewide, adoption varies based on local capacity and resources. Currently, just under 1,000 schools hold the state’s MI HEARTSafe designation, a title earned by schools with cardiac response plans, annual cardiac emergency drills, and enough employees trained to respond to a cardiac emergency.

Governor Whitmer’s $88 billion budget proposed in her recent executive recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year also omitted specified funding for cardiac emergency response plans.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is looking for members to serve on the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Advisory Council. Those selected will support the implementation of Michigan’s RHT program.

The Rural Health Transformation Program stems from a grant established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed into law this year. The grant program is a five-year initiative that will allocate up to $10 billion to states each year from 2026 to 2030. This year, all 50 states received funding for FY 2026, with Michigan set to receive $173.1 million.

MDHHS will be awarding the funds to organizations in the state that prioritize expanding access, quality, costs, and technology advancements of healthcare for rural Michigan residents.

The advisory council will have the responsibility of creating a strategy to strengthen the input of partners and communities throughout the implementation of the program. The council will also offer guidance to MDHHS on decision making and ensure the program remains committed to rural areas.

Individuals and organizations with experience and commitment to improving rural health are encouraged to apply for a seat on the council. Other criteria include knowledge of rural health challenges or service delivery gaps, dedication to problem-solving, and availability to participate and contribute to the program’s scheduled meetings.

Interested applicants can apply here. To receive updates on program developments, you may also subscribe to the RHT Listserv. Applications are due end of day 1/23.

Shortly after the new year, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued her formal opinion that the mechanism used by the Michigan House Appropriations Committee to eliminate over $644 million in work project funding is unconstitutional. The disapproval mechanism used, MCL.18.1451a(3), can be found in the Management and Budget Act and allows for previously approved funding from the last fiscal year to continue to be used for its direct purpose in the new fiscal year. The funds are approved by the State Budget Director and are known as work projects. According to the law, either the Senate or House Appropriations Committee can then decide to approve or disapprove the work project funding. Historically in Michigan this funding has typically been approved by both chambers.

In her opinion, AG Nessel deemed MCL.18.1451a(3) unconstitutional. She argues that the mechanism violates Separation of Powers because it allows a single legislative committee to effectively have authority over the executive’s law implementation powers. Continuing her argument, she laid out that since the action was not approved by the Senate, and subsequently by the Governor, it violates the Bicameralism and Presentment requirements. Lastly, Nessel concluded that the veto disapproval mechanism is separate from the rest of the statute, so the remaining portions, such as the State Budget Director’s authority, can remain.

Two weeks after the Attorney General’s formal opinion was published, Court of Claims Judge Michael Gadola issued a preliminary injunction that preserves the status quo of the law. This injunction temporarily prohibits state departments from spending any remaining work project funds until the courts have made a final decision on the constitutionality of the House Republican Appropriations Committee’s actions.