Updates About Health Insurance

A Senate panel has approved a package of bills aimed at addressing disparities in maternal health care for the second time. The bipartisan-supported package is championed by Senators Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). Together, the bills seek to close gaps in care and combat systemic inequities that have led to higher maternal and infant mortality rates.

Key provisions of the Maternal Health Care Package include:

• Bias & Discrimination Reporting (SB 29, SB 30, SB 34 – Mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to collect and report data on perinatal care bias and amend civil rights laws to protect pregnant individuals.
• Hospital & Insurance Requirements (SB 31, SB 32, SB 33 – Ensures hospitals stabilize laboring patients before discharge and requires insurers to disclose perinatal care policies.
• Midwife & Medicaid Access (SB 36, SB 37, SB 38, SB 39 – Expands midwife loan repayment programs, mandates insurance reimbursement for midwives, and increases Medicaid coverage for maternal health services.
• Technical Amendments (SB 31, SB 37) – Adjustments were made to eliminate redundant reporting requirements and ensure midwives are included in insurance networks.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) concluded its year-long Medicaid redetermination process, renewing coverage for over 141,000 beneficiaries in May. This brings the total Medicaid enrollment to 2.6 million, with over 1.8 million renewals completed during the past year. This number is expected to increase further as the department processes forms from an additional 94,723 people who have until June 30 to submit their applications. MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel touts strategies such as extending renewals, focusing on outreach, and implementing procedures approved through June as key components in making this “the largest renewal process our state has ever conducted.” As the redetermination process comes to a close, the department reminds Medicaid recipients to submit renewal paperwork promptly and explore alternative coverage options if necessary.

See Related:

MEDICAID COVERAGE CONTINUES TO CLIMB: MORE THAN 1.6M RENEWALS

MEDICAID RENEWALS SURPASS 1.5 MILLION

OVER 1.4M MICHIGAN RESIDENTS RENEW MEDICAID COVERAGE; ADDRESSING COVERAGE CHALLENGES FOR 700,000+

Over 137,000 individuals have now renewed their Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan coverage, totaling over 1.6 million Michigan citizens who retained their insurance. Elizabeth Hertel, director of MDHHS, stated that allowing residents an additional month to turn in paperwork enabled 21,000 people to continue their coverage per month. Additional procedures that encourage coverage retention have been approved through June of 2025, including a 90-day reconsideration period for those deemed ineligible based on procedural issues, removing the additional income determination for families enrolled in TANF or SNAP, easy contact methods for beneficiaries, and renewal based on asset verification.

See Related:

MEDICAID RENEWALS SURPASS 1.5 MILLION

OVER 1.4M MICHIGAN RESIDENTS RENEW MEDICAID COVERAGE; ADDRESSING COVERAGE CHALLENGES FOR 700,000+