Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed 10 bipartisan bills aimed at lowering healthcare costs and expanding access to essential care for Michiganders. These legislative actions build upon the administration's ongoing efforts, including the recently signed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, to ensure affordable and quality healthcare across the state.
"Getting sick or injured shouldn’t mean going broke," said Governor Whitmer. She highlighted previous achievements over the past seven and a half years, including reducing prescription drug costs, codifying the Affordable Care Act, protecting Medicaid, and erasing nearly $200 million in medical debt. The governor emphasized a continued commitment to building a healthier, more affordable Michigan.
The new legislation addresses affordability and access. Senate Bill 415, sponsored by Senator Ruth Johnson, provides Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care, supporting new mothers and babies. Senate Bill 105, from Senator Jeff Irwin, requires health insurers to offer fee-free payment methods for dentists. House Bill 4072, sponsored by Representative Samantha Steckloff, mandates hospitals provide unused eye drops or ointment to patients, reducing waste and saving money. Additionally, Senate Bill 301, sponsored by Senator Joseph Bellino Jr., offers tax credits to companies providing paid organ donation leave.
To expand access, Michigan is joining several licensure compacts. Senate Bill 501 and House Bill 4101, sponsored by Senator Sylvia Santana and Representative Matthew Bierlein, enable participation in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. House Bills 4103 and 4104, from Representatives Julie Rogers and Doug Wozniak, facilitate joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. House Bill 4309, sponsored by Representative Dave Prestin, allows Michigan to join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. These compacts streamline the process for licensed professionals from other states to practice in Michigan, increasing care availability. House Bill 4746, sponsored by Representative Jason Woolford, requires chip-enabled Michigan Bridge Cards for food or cash assistance recipients, modernizing benefit access.
The Fiscal Year 2027 budget further reinforces these efforts, allocating significant funds to protect Medicaid services and prepare for new federal requirements. This includes $184.3 million for staffing, administration, community health navigators, and workforce investments to help Michiganders maintain access to health and food assistance benefits.