Good News: Medication Aide Legislation Sent to Governor Whitmer for Final Approval

HCAM is pleased to announce that the Michigan Legislature approved House Bills 4923 and 4885 to allow for the use of medication aides in Michigan nursing facilities. Action by the Legislature advances a major HCAM initiative that will offer providers a much-needed tool to help attract and retain a strong caregiver staff.

The bills require medication aide applicants to demonstrate to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) that they hold a current nurse aide registration, have worked as a CNA in a skilled nursing facility for at least 2,000 hours during the two-year period immediately preceding application, and have successfully completed a medication aide training program at an educational institution and a LARA-approved competency exam.

Med aides will pass only regularly scheduled medications. Med aides will not:

• Provide the initial administration of any medication. Only a nurse will do that.
• Administer PRN medications, which are those given as needed (not scheduled). A nurse will still make that determination.
• Administer intravenous (IV) fluids or medications. Only a nurse will do that.
• Administer controlled substances. Only a nurse will do that. Currently, controlled substances are prepackaged in a separate, locked compartment that is only accessible by a nurse; that practice will continue.

HCAM issued a press release thanking the bill sponsors – Representatives Donovan McKinney and Joe Aragona – along with the entire Michigan House and Senate, as well as state department officials and HCAM members for supporting this important legislation. We also urged Governor Gretchen Whitmer to sign the bills and sent her a letter with that same message. She is expected to act on them this week.

This Fact Sheet has more details. Questions? Contact HCAM’s Rich Farran.