Updates About Health Policy

The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee recently took up testimony on SB 914, introduced by Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit). The bill would require prescription drug co-pay assistance to count toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

Supporters of the bill include patient advocacy groups that represent individuals with serious conditions such as cancer, blood disorders, epilepsy, and other diseases that require patients to rely on costly medications. Supporting organizations argue that the bill would reduce unexpected out-of-pocket costs for patients, while simultaneously improving affordability and transparency in drug pricing.

Opposition comes primarily from insurers and health plans, who argue the policy would influence patients to purchase more expensive brand name medications versus cheaper generic options. It has also been suggested that co-pay coupons increase the cost of brand name medications over time.

The bill is now waiting on a Committee vote.

Senate Democrats plan to reintroduce legislation to establish a state-based health insurance exchange in Michigan and create a reinsurance pool aimed at helping reduce health care costs.

The proposal would shift the state from the federally facilitated exchange under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to a system run by Michigan, over a one-year transition period. The change would aim to lower administrative costs, allowing the state to redirect savings into other programs and efforts, such as increasing the enrollment rate in Michigan and giving the State more flexibility in managing health care.

Recently, SB 296 and SB 297, sponsored by Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), passed the Michigan Senate. The two bills aim at limiting mandatory nurse overtime, and hope to improve patient care and reduce nurse burnout by requiring hospitals to provide nurses with at least eight hours off after a 12-hour shift. This excludes shifts served during public health emergencies, state of emergencies, and mass casualty events. Senators McBroom and Joseph Bellino (Monroe) were the only Republicans to join the Democrats for a final vote tally of 21-16.