Houses Passes Medicaid Expansion

On Thursday, the full House voted to expand Medicaid health care coverage for individuals with income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

The final bill (House Bill 4714, H-3) did not include the provision that prospectively limits non-disabled adults to 48-months of coverage. However, the substitute version of the bill would require recipients in the expanded population who exceed 48 months to contribute between 3 to 7 percent of their annual income to their coverage or purchase private insurance through the federal health insurance exchange.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that in order for Michigan to participate the federal government must fully fund the expansion program or the savings from the expansion must cover the state match. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) would be required to post reports on the savings gleaned from the expansion program.

In addition to seeking the federal waiver, the MDCH would create incentives for health plans to meet improvement goals, providers to achieve quality and cost targets, and healthy behavior outcomes for recipients. The bill would also create health savings accounts requiring recipients to contribute up to 5 percent of their annual income to their coverage through co-pays, deductibles, premiums, etc. and institute abuse and fraud initiatives.

If the federal waiver is not approved by December 31, 2015, the MDCH would have to notify enrollees that the expanded program would be terminated on April 30, 2016.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration where it is expected to move before the Legislature adjourns for its summer recess next week.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 14, 2013 2:01 PM
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Governor Signs Fiscal Year 2014 Budget into Law

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Snyder approved a nearly $49 billion Fiscal Year 2014 budget. For three consecutive years, the Michigan Legislature has passed a budget well before the Oct. 1 constitutional deadline.

During the signing ceremony, the Governor highlighted the fact that the budget increased funding for early childhood education, the Healthy Kids Dental program for low-income kids, municipal revenue sharing, and public safety initiatives, and invested in K-12 schools, community colleges and universities.

The budget did not contain funding to expand Medicaid for low-income adults; however, the full House passed legislation late Thursday evening that would extend coverage to individuals with income up to 133 percent of the poverty level. (See Related Article) While the budget contained an additional $350 million for one-time road and bridge projects, overall road funding fell way short of the $1.2 billion the Governor originally requested to fix the state’s infrastructure.

Other highlights of the budget included:

· 0.8% increase in total spending, well below the rate of inflation
· $449.7 million more in funding for K-12 education
· $65 million more for early childhood education
· $31.9 million more in funding for higher education and community colleges
· $13.2 million more in funding for veterans' programs
· $20 million set aside for individual tax relief
· $25.3 million more in funding for public safety initiatives
· $46.6 million more for revenue sharing to communities
· $75 million deposited into the state' rainy day fund
· $351 million more for Michigan's roads from existing revenue sources
· $11.6 million more for Healthy Kids Dental

The Governor vetoed funding for a pre-college engineering program and a railroad crossing pilot project designed to allow increased train speeds. Additionally, he considered the boilerplate language prohibiting state departments from writing rules more stringent than federal standards; requiring the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to indemnify an animal owner for a loss; providing rules on how thoroughbred racing purse money should be distributed; banning spending on sodium limits in groundwater discharges; and, preventing lapse of uniform securities act funds unenforceable.

posted by PAA Online , 2:00 PM
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Foreclosure Bills Advance

The full Senate passed a four-bill package that would lengthen the period of time a homeowner has to work with its lender to sell or save their foreclosed property. The bills received bipartisan support after the provision that would have shortened the post-foreclosure redemption period was removed.

Under the provisions of the legislation (Senate Bills 380, 381 and 382), the 90-day pre-foreclosure negotiation period in the state’s loan modification program would be maintained until the new federal regulations take effect in January. Beginning January 9, 2014, lenders would be required to wait 120 days before notifying homeowners of a foreclosure. This extended period of time allows homeowners to seek loan modifications in an effort to avoid foreclosure.

Lastly, the substitute version of Senate Bill 383 would maintain the 180-day post-foreclosure redemption period for homeowners to retain or short sell their homes. The original bill would have reduced this timeframe to two months. The Senate-passed four-bill package was sent to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Meanwhile, the full House passed two bills (House Bill 4765 and4766) in its foreclosure package. Under the provisions of this legislation, the sunset on the mortgage loan modification program would be delayed until June 30, 2014, and mortgage servicers would be required to comply with federal regulations on foreclosure proceedings initiated after January 9, 2014. The bills were transmitted to the Senate.

posted by PAA Online , 1:58 PM
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Fireworks Bill Heads to Gov. Snyder

The Michigan Legislature passed a bill that would allow municipalities to restrict the use of fireworks around national holidays.

HB 4743, sponsored by Rep. Harold Haugh (D-Roseville), would allow local units of government to enact ordinances banning overnight use of consumer fireworks on the day before, of, or after a national holiday. Local governments currently have the authority to limit usage on all other days of the year.

In 2011 a law was enacted allowing licensed vendors to sell bottle rockets, aerial cakes, Roman candles and firecrackers in the state. The increased use of these high-powered, airborne fireworks resulted in local governments receiving numerous noise and safety complaints. However, local units were powerless to address these grievances under existing state law.

Under House Bill 4743, a city with a population of 50,000 or more and a local unit within a county of 750,000 or more could prohibit fireworks between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. on all holidays except New Year’s when celebrations could be extended until 1 a.m. Smaller communities could only set regulations between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. on all days.

Individuals violating these restrictions could face a maximum civil fine of $500.

The bill was sent to Gov. Snyder for his signature. He is expected to sign House Bill 4743 prior to the Fourth of July holiday.

posted by PAA Online , 1:55 PM
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Senate Committee Passes Health Care Exchange Navigator Legislation

The Senate Health Policy Committee passed legislation requiring an individual to be certified as an insurance navigator for an exchange established under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Senate Bill 324 (S-4) would require an individual to be certified as an insurance navigator before he or she could assist an individual in selecting a health insurance or could receive funding from a health insurance exchange. Additionally, the navigator would be required to provide education on the various qualified health plans and facilitate enrollment. However, a navigator would be prohibited from selling insurance or recommending a particular plan.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (MDIFS) would establish a certification and training program for navigators. The Department would also be provided full licensing enforcement authority for the prospective navigators.

The substitute version of the bill contains language addressing privacy concerns and the selling of information.

At the hearing, the MDFIS remained neutral on the bill. However, the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, Michigan Primary Care Association, Michigan Association of Health Underwriters, and Michigan Health and Hospitals Association, supported the bill. The bill now heads to the full Senate.

posted by PAA Online , 1:55 PM
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Congressman Rogers Not Running for U.S. Senate

U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Howell) announced today that he will not be running for U.S. Senate. In March, Sen. Levin (D-Detroit) announced he would not seek a seventh Senate term in 2014.

Congressman Rogers was considered a long-shot to run for the seat. In seeking the Republican nomination, he would be surrendering a safe House seat and chairmanship on the powerful House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

In his announcement, Congressman Rogers said, “I am truly humbled by the encouragement I have had to run for the United States Senate. After careful and thorough deliberation and long talks with my family, friends and supporters, I have determined that the best way for me to continue to have a direct impact for my constituents and the nation is to remain in the House of Representatives,” Mr. Rogers (R-Brighton) said in a statement. “For me, the significance and depth of the impact I can make on my constituent's behalf far outweighs the perceived importance of any title I might hold.”

The Congressman’s decision comes less than two weeks after former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R-Grand Rapids) officially announced she will be seeking the Republican nomination for the seat. However, former Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis, Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township), Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township), and U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Grand Rapids) are all rumored to be considering seeking the GOP nomination as well.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) has largely secured the Democratic nomination.

posted by PAA Online , 1:54 PM
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June 7th Survey Results

In the June 7^th edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked of the top issues being debated right now, which do you feel is the mostly likely to result in agreement between the Legislature, the Snyder Administration, and other interested parties? According to readers, the following issues, in order, are most likely to be resolved: road/infrastructure funding (47 percent); Medicaid reform (29 percent); failing schools (18 percent); and auto no-fault (6 percent).

posted by PAA Online , 1:53 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

House Minority Leader Tim Greimel Names New Chief of Staff

House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) named Todd Cook as his new Chief of Staff. Cook currently is a Partner at Main Street Strategies, a Democratic political consulting firm. Interim Chief of Staff Jason Ellenberg will now serve as Director of Central Staff for the House Democratic Caucus.

Michigan Supreme Court Announces New General Counsel

Chief Justice Robert Young announced the appointment of Joseph Baumann as the new General Counsel for the Michigan Supreme Court. Baumann previously served as counsel to the House Republican Majority Caucus.

Duggan Appeals Decision Removing Him from Ballot

Detroit Mayoral candidate Mike Duggan filed an appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals challenging a lower court ruling that he is ineligible to run because he did not meet the city’s residency requirements. Under Detroit’s charter, a candidate must be a resident and a registered voter for one year at the time of filing for office. The main source of contention is whether “at the time of filing” means the date a candidate files for office or the filing deadline (May 14, 2013). Mr. Duggan registered to vote on April 12, 2012 and filed to run for mayor on April 3, 2013. The Court of Appeals has not yet issued a ruling on Mr. Duggan’s appeal.

Snyder Administration Ordered to Release Detroit Emergency Manager Candidates

An Ingham County Circuit Court judge ordered the Snyder Administration to release the names of approximately 20 past candidates in contention for the Detroit emergency manager position. This ruling is in response to a lawsuit that asserts the appointment of current Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is invalid because it violated the state Open Meetings Act. The state plans on appealing this decision.

posted by PAA Online , 1:53 PM
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Question of the Week 6/14/13

posted by PAA Online , 11:11 AM
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