PENDING LEGISLATION AND RELATED MATTERS

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Still Birth Risks Bill, HB 6091 Clears Michigan House
HB 6091, introduced by Rep. Kevin Green (R-Wyoming) has passed the House by a vote of 100-7.  This bill will have an impact on physicians and hospitals.  The bill requires “when medically appropriate and within the standard of care” that the patient must within the twentieth to twenty eight weeks of pregnancy be advised of stillbirth risk.   Rep. Green and his wife lost a baby due to stillbirth.  Medical liability insurance companies had previously expressed reservations and opposition to the bill.  Responding to these concerns MOA worked to improve the bill and the version that passed the House we were able to be neutral on the bill.  While very sympathetic to the terrible loss suffered by the Green family, the MOA was concerned that the bill as introduced would have exposed physicians to additional malpractice risk.  

License Revocation for Criminal Sexual Conduct
The House has passed by a vote of 106-1 a package of bills that require the permanent license revocation of a health care professional convicted of certain criminal sexual conduct crimes. HB 4468 introduced by Rep Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), HB 4469 introduced by Rep. Bettie Cook Scott (D-Detroit) and HB 5043 introduced by Rep Lesia Liss (D-Warren) have now been sent to the Senate Health Policy Committee.

Hearing Held on Genetic Counseling Licensure Legislation
MOA has joined the MHA, MSMS, March of Dimes, William Beaumont Hospital and other organizations in supporting HB 5684 which calls for the licensure of genetic counselors.  The House Health Policy Committee held an initial hearing on the bill and the bill should move from that committee in the near future.  The bill is sponsored by Rep. Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak).

State Appropriation of Federal Health Information Exchange (HIE)
With the counsel and assistance of the MOA IT Committee, MOA submitted a strong statement in support of the need for the Legislature to quickly appropriate federal monies allocated to the State for HIE.  Michigan needs to act now to insure the capture of all available federal funds for which our State is eligible.  Joining MOA in concurring statements were the MHA and many sub state HIEs.  MOA has been a strong supporter of the sub sate or local HIEs as they are best positioned to work with local systems and resources to improve patient care delivery.

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