Regulatory Reform Bill to Reported Unanimously by Senate Committee (SNF)
House Bill 5609 received a hearing on Thursday, June 9th before the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee where it was reported with unanimous support to the full Senate.
It is expected the bill will receive a vote before the Senate this week, and a concurrence vote from the Michigan House next week. It is the association’s goal to move the bill as quickly as possible through the legislative process and sent to Governor Whitmer’s desk before the end of June.
This legislation is the culmination of efforts between HCAM and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to address the inefficacies of the survey process. In May of 2021, at the request of HCAM, LARA convened a workgroup consisting of providers and surveyors to identify areas of concern and corresponding solutions. The resulting recommendations are focused on ensuring a fairer, timelier, and more consistent survey process across the state.
Many of these recommendations are reflected in the bill, and include adding a quality assurance monitor to each survey team, establishing guidance on what should be reported by facilities, requiring communication from surveyors upon entry, exit, and prior to issuance of an immediate jeopardy citation, requiring surveyors to remain in the building as long as practicable until an IJ is abated, codifying the IDR process, and setting guidance on the duration of surveys and number of surveyors per survey.
You may find the bill and track its progress HERE.