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A comprehensive guide to advocacy in Michigan, covering state departments/agencies, legislative information, current issues, and the 2016 elections.
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Elizabeth L. Weihl Partner Email weihlb@rwca.com Direct 517-374-2736 Cell 517-719-5398
Executive • Governor • State Departments/Agencies • MI Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs • (LARA) – all health professional, program and • facility licensure • MI Department of Health & Human Services • (DHHS) – population health, public sector • policy and financing (physical, behavioral) • and Medicaid
Executive • State Departments/Agencies • MI Department of Insurance & Financial Services • (DIFS) – regulates individuals and businesses • in financial and insurance industries, including • Michigan’s health insurance exchange • Legislative • 148 elected members • 110 House • 38 Senate
Year- round (full time) Legislature 27 – 10 Republican super-majority in Senate (1 vacancy) 63 – 46 Republican majority in House (1 vacancy) Two year session schedule 98th Legislature (2015-2016) will end on December 31, 2016
Year- round (full time) Legislature • In 2013-2014 session, 3271 bills introduced • 854 signed into law • In 2015-2016 session, 2793 bills introduced as of • June 10, 2016 • 449 signed into law as of June 13, 2016
www.michigan.gov www.michigan.gov/lara www.michigan.gov/dhhs www.michigan.gov/difs www.michiganlegislature.org
Successful advocacy must • Include both branches of government • Include both statutory and regulatory engagement • Be both pro-active and reactive • Be both strategic and properly timed • The good news: Advocacy done right, Works!
Current Issues * • FY 2017 State Budget (HB 5294) • Full Funding for Healthy Michigan Plan • Full implementation of Healthy Kids Dental • New funding for adult dental services • Reduced funding for Health and Wellness Commission (20% - $5.5 million) • Language (“boilerplate”) on integration of physical and mental health (section 298) • * current June 15, 2016
FY 2017 State Budget continued • Funding and language to support spend down ($3 million; sections 941, 1012) • Language supporting enhanced wages for direct caregivers (section 920) • Language requiring workgroup on recruitment and retention of direct caregivers, including impact of state minimum wage (section 1008) • Language requiring 90 days’ notice before rebasing formula to PIHP or CMHSP (section 1004)
FY 2017 State Budget continued • Language requiring minimum 30 days’ notice before reduction/termination/suspension of CMHSP services (section 942) • Language protecting access to certain medications (section 1875) • Language encouraging PIHPs to reduce administrative cost and promote conflict free care management (section 1008)
FY 2016-2017 State Budget (Senate Bill 801) • $1.1 million to support Special Education Reform Task Recommendations • $625,000 – MI Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiatives • $500,000 – emergency seclusion and restraints training
Current Issues * • Flint • $114 million for current year in HB 5295 • $10.1 million for current year in SB 801 • Other supplemental funding appropriated earlier this year • Medicaid waiver for eligible Flint children • Appointments to Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board (Executive Order 2016-09) • * current June 15, 2016
Current Issues * • Seclusion and Restraint – Bicameral, bipartisan. • House Bills 5409 – 5418: House Education Committee • Senate Bills 835 – 838: Senate Education Committee • Expulsion/Suspension/Modification of “Zero Tolerance” • House Bills 5618 – 5621, 5693- 5695: Senate Judiciary Committee • * current June 15, 2016
Current Issues * • Regulation of “millionaire parties” • Senate Bill 187, House Bill 4293: House floor • Licensure and regulation of ABA practitioners • Senate Bills 1015, 1016: Senate Regulatory Reform Committee • Crime of abuse of person with developmental disability • House Bills 5728, 5729: House Criminal Justice Committee • * current June 15, 2016
2016 Elections Michigan’s legislative term limits are among the strictest in the nation. State House – 3 terms of 2 years each (6 years) State Senate – 2 terms of 4 years each (8 years) = 14 year lifetime limit Approved in 1992 by constitutional amendment, affecting lawmakers sworn in after January 1, 1993
2016 Elections • 110 State House seats to be filled • 69 incumbents seeking reelection • 35% of incumbents face primary challengers • Democrats must gain 9 seats to achieve majority • 14 US Congressional seats to be filled • 9 Republicans, 5 Democrats • 2 incumbents not seeking reelection
2016 Elections Potentially impacted by: National race? Flint? Anti-incumbent sentiment?
General Advocacy Tips #2 - 8 • Engage your lawmakers in district when possible • Communicate via call or email, personal meetings, testimony • Arrange site visits • Be courteous • Be timely • Be confident • Be coordinated • Be persistent
General Advocacy Tips TIP #1 PARTICIPATE!