SerpApi.Org
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed 10 bipartisan health care bills into law Wednesday aimed at lowering costs and expanding services across the state.
“Getting sick or injured shouldn’t mean going broke,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I’m proud to sign these bills that will lower health care costs and make it easier for Michiganders to receive the care that they need. Over the last seven and a half years, we’ve done a lot to save you money on care; we lowered the cost of prescription drugs, codified the Affordable Care Act in our state, protected Medicaid, and erased nearly $200 million in medical debt.”
The legislation addresses health care affordability and access to services.
Affordability bills
Senate Bill 415: Provides Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care and expands resources for new mothers and their babies. It also supports group prenatal services at hospitals and care centers.
Senate Bill 105: Changes the state’s insurance code and requires health insurers to offer dentists and dental therapists at least one payment option that does not charge additional fees.
House Bill 4072: Requires hospitals and outpatient facilities to provide patients with unused portions of eye drops or ointment supplied by the facility if the medication is needed for continued treatment. The law reduces medication waste and allows patients to save on prescription costs.
Senate Bill 301: Encourages employers to offer paid organ donation leave through a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to 100% of wages paid to an employee. The measure allows employees to receive up to 12 weeks of paid organ donation leave.
Health services and care access
Senate Bill 501 and House Bill 4101: The measures allow Michigan to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, making it easier for licensed physical therapists from participating states to practice in Michigan without completing a separate licensing process.
House bills 4103 and 4104: The measures allow Michigan to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, making it easier for licensed occupational therapists from participating states to practice in Michigan without completing a separate licensing process.
House Bill 4309: Allows Michigan to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, making it easier for qualified physician assistants from participating states to provide care in Michigan.
House Bill 4746: Requires the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue chip-enabled Michigan Bridge Cards to recipients of food or cash assistance benefits, continuing funding from the 2026 fiscal year budget. The change modernizes benefit cards and helps protect recipients from fraud.
