1. Elizabeth L. Weihl Partner Email weihlb@rwca.com Direct 517-374-2736
Cell

2. 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

3. 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

4. Legislative
Year- round (full time) Legislature
99th Legislature ( ) began on January 1 and will end on December 31, 2018
148 Elected members
110 House
38 Senate

5. Legislative
27 – 11 Republican super-majority in Senate
63 – 47 Republican majority in House (2 vacancies) *
** vacancies to be filled by special election

6. Legislative
In session, 3271 bills introduced
854 signed into law
In session, 3305 bills introduced
832 signed into law

8. Current Issues
State Budget for Fiscal Year *
Integration of physical/behavioral health (sec. 298)
DHHS hiring of independent facilitator for all pilots
Pilot in Kent County with a willing CMHSP and all willing health plans to pilot full integration model
4 PIHPs (Wayne; Oakland; Macomb; rest of state)
Up to 3 pilots on fully integrated pilots
* Preliminary as of June 9, 2017

9. Current Issues
State Budget for Fiscal Year *
Integration of physical/behavioral health (sec. 298)
Pilots to last at least 2 years
Benefits and cost savings reinvested in services and supports
No language establishing goal of statewide integration by 2020
Pilot evaluation done by state research university
* Preliminary as of June 9, 2017

10. Current Issues
State Budget for Fiscal Year *
Increased funding for Healthy Michigan Plan and traditional Medicaid for state match, caseload and utilization adjustments
25-cent/hour wage increase for direct care workers, additional 25-cent increase on 6/1/18 for those earning less than $10.90/hour
Medicaid common drug formulary – Open meeting requirements, 45 day public comment period
* Preliminary as of June 9, 2017

11. Current Issues
State Budget for Fiscal Year *
36 new staff positions at state psychiatric hospital
35 new adult services caseworkers
5% increase in Medicaid autism services fee schedule
New funding for psychiatric transition unit at Hawthorn center, reduced funding for Mental Health and Wellness Commission
* Preliminary as of June 9, 2017

12. Current Issues
State Budget for Fiscal Year and beyond
What will happen in Washington?
When and how will it affect Michigan?
Medicaid Expansion/Healthy Michigan Plan?
Waivers?
Other state changes to Healthy Michigan Plan?

13. Michigan 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

14. Michigan Elections
110 State House seats up for election in 2016
42 true freshman legislators seated in January 2017
14 US Congressional seats up for election in 2016
2 true freshman congressmen seated in January 2017

15. Michigan Elections
In 2018:
All constitutional officers
110 State House seats (23 term limited)
38 State Senate seats (26 term limited)
14 US Congressional seats
1 U.S. Senator
In a mid-term election
Other Issues – Part Time Legislature? Term Limits? Legalization of Marijuana?

16. 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!

17. General Advocacy Tips #2 - 8
Engage your lawmakers in district when possible
Communicate via call or , personal meetings, testimony
Arrange site visits
Be courteous
Be timely
Be confident
Be coordinated
Be persistent

18. General Advocacy Tips
TIP #1
PARTICIPATE!

19. THANK YOU!