HCAM Advocates for Members

HCAM works continuously to secure passage of long-term-care-friendly legislation and protect the sector from harmful legislation. As we head into spring, HCAM continues to engage on important policy and budget legislation with key legislator and stakeholders. Here is a brief summary of the bills on which the association will focus in 2024.

HBs 4885 and 4923 (Public Acts 273 and 274 of 2023) – Medication Aides. As we previously reported, the medication aide legislation was signed into law late last year. HCAM is now focused on implementing the laws promptly to enable CNAs to receive training to work as medication aides. The Michigan Bureau of Community and Health Systems just announced that the first component of Michigan Medication Aide Registry will be implemented tomorrow, March 7, 2024, allowing those who have received medication aide training in neighboring states (Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin) to work in Michigan after passing an exam. The association is working with key stakeholders to ensure training is available to Michigan nursing facility staff in 2024. We will provide updates as the implementation process progresses. 

HB 4841 – AFC Licensing Act. HCAM continues to engage with stakeholders, the bill sponsor and legislators to amend HB 4841, which makes significant changes to the AFC licensing act. As introduced, the problematic bill contains provisions – including staffing ratios, fines and stringent training requirements – that would significantly alter the role of AFCs in the long-term care continuum. HCAM is part of a workgroup convened by the bill sponsor to improve the bill.

Staffing Agency Licensing. Legislation requiring the licensure of staffing agencies is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. As staffing agency use grew during the pandemic, providers had to deal with a transient workforce and excessive charges for agency staff. The bill would require staffing agencies to be licensed, and it would limit what an agency could charge a facility – capping the charges at 125% of what agency staff will be paid. This limit avoids a cap on wages themselves but focuses on limiting agency overhead charges. 

Medicare Advantage (MA) Legislation. As MA plans continue to become popular in Michigan, beneficiaries and providers alike are experiencing challenges, particularly around the duration of care authorized by the plans. HCAM is pursuing legislation at the state level that will likely include disclosure requirements to beneficiaries in an effort to shed light on the issue to our state policymakers. At the national level, AHCA continues to engage with Congress and CMS to address these issues.

SB 717 – Cameras in Resident Rooms. Legislation that would require facilities to allow cameras in nursing facility resident rooms was introduced for the third time in recent years. HCAM worked to add protections for residents, staff and providers to previously introduced versions of the bill; and these provisions are included in the 2024 bill as introduced. HCAM will continue efforts to mitigate any negative impacts the bill may have on providers.

State Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations. The Legislature is working on the state fiscal year 2025 budget, which will take effect October 1, 2024. This budget process impacts important issues including Medicaid rates, the direct care worker and non-clinical worker wage increase, transition to a new Medicaid reimbursement system, and Medicaid policies such as bed certifications and non-available bed plans. HCAM advocates with key legislators and the State Budget Office to ensure appropriations bills allocate adequate funding and reflect necessary policies for Michigan’s nursing facilities.

Additional legislation HCAM is monitoring includes the following:

• HBs 4550-4552 and SBs 334-336 – Hospital Nursing Ratios.
• SBs 678-681 – Death with Dignity Act.
• HBs 4909-4912, 5047 – Guardianship Licensing and Office of State Guardian.
• HB 4543 – Written Notice of Admission Denial.
• HB 4517 – Fall Prevention Training for Unlicensed Nursing Home Staff.
• SB 739 – Personal Service Agreements Avoiding Divestiture for Medicaid Purposes.
• HB 5199 – Expansion of Consumer Protection Act.
• HB 4935 – Nurse Licensure Compact.

Always Available: You can find bills affecting the sector using HCAM’s bill tracker. Beyond that, issue briefs and testimony are also available. Questions? Email HCAM’s Richie Farran.