Updates About Public Health

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually over Zoom from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm on Tuesday, October 27.

The meeting offers an opportunity for community partners, the public, and any interested parties to comment on the list of prescription drugs that Michigan’s Medicaid health plans cover.

To receive the Zoom link and RSVP, please email KrepsD@michigan.gov. Alternatively, you can join the meeting via phone by dialing 408-961-3929 and entering access code 257756. More information is available here.

State leaders and local officials recently commemorated the completion of a new 264-bed Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital. The $383.4 million facility will provide inpatient behavioral health care for up to 192 adults and 72 youth, increasing Michigan’s capacity by 54 beds. The hospital is set to open and start treating patients sometime this fall.

The more than 400,000-square-foot facility includes separate treatment and living areas for adults and youth, 198 single-bed suites, recreational and sensory spaces, and 12 secure outdoor courtyards. The hospital is expected to add 150 health care jobs while also replacing both the Hawthorn Center and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital. Patients currently being treated at Walter Reuther will be relocated to the new facility once it opens.

The project was overseen by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB), with funding from budget investments approved by Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that they will be hosting the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary over Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan Medicaid health plans.

During the meeting, the public community partners, and other interested parties will have an opportunity to provide comments on the prescription drug list. The common formulary was created in 2016 to streamline prescription drug coverage policies and ensure consistent coverage across contracted Medicaid health plans.

To view the full press release and how to RSVP for the Zoom call, click here.