Updates About Health Policy

On August 30, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her “What’s Next Address” and discussed the Reproductive Health Act (RHA) being a priority for this fall. This comes after Michigan voters overwhelmingly supported the passage of Proposal 3, which legalized abortion in Michigan after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

Despite abortion being legal in Michigan, many wanted to see additional legislation that aims to protect access to abortion services and repeal current laws that add hurdles to those seeking and providing abortion services. A bill package of 11 bills was recently introduced which seek to remove these laws from Michigan statute. Just this week, the bills received a testimony only committee hearing in the House Health Policy Committee. Our McCall Hamilton team anticipates they will move quickly through the legislative process.

On April 5, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation repealing Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban. The 1931 Michigan penal code prohibited the sharing or publishing information regarding contraception and abortion and prohibited administration of miscarriage procuring drugs or a surgical abortion procedure. Senate Bill 2 and House Bills 4006 and 4032 revokes the felonies of the 1931 penal code. These bills ensure that individuals who administer or receive an abortion are not criminalized.

On Friday March 24, Governor Whitmer also signed bills repealing the Michigan right to work law and restoring the prevailing wage for public construction projects. These bills include Senate Bill 34 and House Bills 4004 and 4007.

On October 3, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive focused on lowering the cost of insulin.

Under the Directive, Governor Whitmer tasked various Michigan departments and agencies with determining the feasibility of lowering costs and taking action on holding drug companies accountable. State of Michigan departments are to search for options to reduce insulin costs, which include the development of lower-cost products and the establishment of manufacturing facilities to produce insulin in Michigan.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also voiced support for better access to insulin. Previously, her department took legal action in January to enforce the Michigan Consumer Protection Act against drug companies which she claims, “has been wrongly interpreted for too long.” The act prohibits unfair and deceptive practices such as raising the pricing of certain drugs. Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, commented on how reducing the cost of insulin will help improve the health of residents since high prices of insulin make access to care difficult to those who are trying to manage diabetes.

Prior to the Governor’s Executive Order, Senator Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) introduced two different resolutions urging Governor Whitmer and different state departments to take action to make insulin more accessible and affordable. Senate Resolution 170 was adopted by the Senate on September 28. Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 was referred to the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services.

912,794 Michiganders have been diagnosed with diabetes and have more than twice the medical expenses than those who do not suffer from the disease. The directive can be found here