Second-term lawmaker reintroduces measures from 2018-19 term

State Rep. Mary Whiteford, of Casco Township, is continuing her efforts to improve health care in Michigan with four proposals reintroduced for the 2019-20 legislative term.

Whiteford recently introduced:

• House Bill 4042: Enacts the “Nurse Licensure Compact,” which would bring Michigan’s nurse licensing system into accord with other states that have agreed to the same compact. This would allow registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses to practice in any of the 31 other compact states.
• HB 4043: Protects consumers and pharmacists by prohibiting the sale of non-insurance discount cards that falsely claim to offer prescription discounts but actually increase costs for both the consumer and the pharmacy.
• HB 4051: Establishes the Michigan C.A.R.E.S. Hotline. Whiteford is reintroducing the proposal formally creating the program now that funding was approved in a budget bill signed into law last month.
• HB 4052: Provides for licensure of adult residential psychiatric programs that are currently licensed only as adult foster care homes. This offers individuals the ability to have residential psychiatric care and offers them a path to return to their community.

“These changes will make a significant impact on Michigan’s health care outlook,” said Whiteford, a registered nurse. “I’m committed to working with my colleagues for the passage of these necessary improvements to the system.”

Whiteford was a member of the House mental health task force last term, which traveled the state to listen to mental health experts, law enforcement and families to learn about ways Michigan’s mental health care could be improved.

All four bills were referred to the House Health Policy Committee, where they wait for further consideration.

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