Pull Up Your Chair

In a significant move towards comprehensive healthcare, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bipartisan bill mandating that insurers cover mental health and substance use disorder treatments on par with physical health services. This legislation, Senate Bill 27, aims to eliminate existing loopholes, ensuring that all Michigan residents have equal access to essential healthcare services.

Governor Whitmer emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “Every person in Michigan deserves access to mental and physical health care. This commonsense, bipartisan bill ensures insurers provide equal coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments, just as they do for physical health treatments. By closing these loopholes, we ensure Michiganders get the care they need.”

Sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Senate Bill 27 brings equitable coverage for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatments to the forefront. Senator Anthony highlighted the bill's significance, saying, “Mental health is no less important than physical health. No one should go without necessary care because they can’t afford it. This legislation is vital, and I am grateful to my legislative colleagues and Governor Whitmer for recognizing the importance of mental health care coverage.”

Marianne Huff, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association of Michigan, also lauded the bill’s passage, stating, “The signage of Senate Bill 27, Michigan's first mental health parity law, signifies a turning tide in our state. Mental health and addiction treatment are now viewed as essential as physical healthcare. There is a growing understanding that the brain, mind, and body are a unified system.”

Dominick Pallone, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans, expressed appreciation for the leadership shown by Governor Whitmer and Senator Anthony, noting, “Senate Bill 27 will ensure consistency in mental health coverage throughout our state.”

Governor Whitmer’s commitment to mental health has been evident since she took office. Her administration has made historic investments in mental health services, including expanding access to affordable healthcare, recruiting and retaining mental health workers, and enhancing crisis stabilization programs. Additionally, the administration opened a new 100-bed Caro Psychiatric Hospital, further boosting access to mental healthcare.

In support of Michigan’s children and schools, Governor Whitmer secured $328 million for mental health and school safety, providing $214 per student for on-campus mental health needs. She has also proposed an additional $300 million to continue investing in student mental health.

This new law, a key proposal from her 2022 State of the State Address, is a significant step towards achieving parity in healthcare coverage for mental health and substance use disorders, ensuring all Michiganders receive the care they deserve.

This month, the Michigan Senate passed a series of bipartisan bills to solidify the future of telemedicine in the state. House Bills 4131 (Liberati), 4213 (Morse), 4579 (Price), and 4580 (Brabec), collectively known as the telemedicine parity bill package, were approved nearly unanimously, with only one senator voting against them. This legislation promises to bring payment uniformity for telehealth services and increase protections for telemedicine access.

The core of this legislative package requires Medicaid and private insurers to reimburse providers for telemedicine visits at the same rate as traditional in-person visits. During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), both Medicaid and private insurers were given more flexibility to expand telemedicine coverage. However, the end of the PHE last spring threatened this expanded access to telemedicine.

Telemedicine has soared over the past few years, demonstrating its critical role in providing healthcare services. The proposed bills aim to ensure that the gains made in telehealth accessibility during the pandemic are not lost. As a clinical psychologist who has integrated telemedicine into my practice, I can attest to the profound impact these bills will have. They are beneficial for physicians and behavioral health workers and crucial for patients who rely on regular outpatient care to manage chronic or mental health conditions.

If Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs this legislation into law, it will guarantee that insurers continue to cover telemedicine as an option, maintaining the best possible access to healthcare for the people of Michigan. This legislative move underscores the importance of telemedicine in today's healthcare landscape, ensuring that all Michigan residents can continue to benefit from its convenience and accessibility.

Telemedicine has proven to be a lifeline for many, particularly when in-person visits were not feasible. By enacting this legislation, Michigan is taking a significant step toward cementing telemedicine's role in its healthcare system, promoting continuity of care, and supporting the health and well-being of its residents.

Michigan is set to establish an Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention within the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) under the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) through House Bill 5276, introduced by Rep. William Bruck (R-Erie). This office aims to help veterans navigate behavioral health challenges and transition to civilian life.

Bruck, a veteran himself, emphasized the need for support systems, recalling his struggles after returning from combat. The office will oversee transition programs, issue grants, and create a mental health resource guide. HB 5279, introduced by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor), will also establish the “buddy-to-buddy” mentorship program for veterans.

Rep. Christine Morse (D-Kalamazoo) highlighted the critical need for this initiative, noting that in 2020, millions of veterans experienced untreated behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders.

Earlier this month, the Michigan House passed two significant licensure compact bills with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PTLC) (HBs 4504 & 4505) and the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OTLC) (HBs 4169 & 4170) are now awaiting consideration by the Senate Health Policy Committee. I am proud to co-sponsor these bills alongside several of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

These legislative efforts represent a substantial step forward in enhancing the practice and accessibility of physical and occupational therapy across state lines. If these bills become law, licensed occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants in one compact-member state will be permitted to practice in other member states without needing multiple licenses. This mirrors the success of the bipartisan Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) legislation (PAs 254 & 255 of 2022), which I helped pass during the 2021-22 legislative session. PSYPACT facilitates the practice of psychology across state lines by enabling telepsychological communications between providers and patients in different states.

The PTLC and OTLC aim to facilitate the interstate practice of physical and occupational therapy, with the primary goal of improving access to care while ensuring that people continue to receive timely, effective, and high-quality services. These compacts are particularly beneficial for military families, allowing military personnel and their spouses to retain their home state license when stationed in any compact-member state. This provision supports the mobility of military families and helps meet the growing workforce needs in the physical and occupational therapy professions.

By joining these licensure compacts, Michigan can address the increasing demand for physical and occupational therapy services, especially in underserved areas. The compacts also streamline the licensure process, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance the overall quality of patient care.

The passage of these compacts is a testament to the collaborative efforts of lawmakers committed to improving healthcare accessibility and flexibility. As the Senate Health Policy Committee considers these bills, there is optimism that Michigan will soon join other states in promoting a more connected and efficient healthcare system for physical and occupational therapy.

In summary, the PTLC and OTLC represent a crucial advancement in healthcare legislation, fostering greater accessibility and flexibility for providers and patients. These compacts are set to enhance the quality of care and meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce, ultimately benefiting the people of Michigan.

U.S. House Introduction of the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act

Last week, Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Larry Bucshon (R-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act. This bill builds on previous bipartisan congressional actions to create the infrastructure needed to sustain and expand access to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) nationwide.

The House introduction follows the Senate's move by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) in September 2023. National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia praised the bipartisan effort, stating the act would help eliminate barriers to access, reduce wait times, and expand states' capacity to address the overdose crisis.

CCBHCs have already provided millions with high-quality, lifesaving mental health and substance use treatment. This act aims to extend those benefits to more communities, ensuring better mental health care for all. To learn more, check out the full text of the bill here and a one-pager on the bill here.

Crain’s Detroit Business, Marijuana use drives up drug test positivity rates in Michigan

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Bridge Magazine, Michigan taps opioid funds for tiny drug victims — babies in withdrawal

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