House Bill 5956 Would Codify Federal Provider Anti-Discrimination Law in Michigan, Now Goes to Governor Whitmer for Consideration
If signed into law, House Bill 5956 will be a tremendous victory for the chiropractic profession and other non-MD/DO providers. We believe this could be a key tool moving forward in fighting discriminatory insurance policies across our state!
This morning, during a marathon session that began Thursday at 10am, the Michigan Senate passed House Bill 5956, MAC-developed, pro-chiropractic legislation that would codify the provider non-discrimination language of Section 2706(a) of the Affordable Care Act in Michigan law. The Michigan House of Representatives passed the bill on December 10th. House Bill 5956 now moves to Governor Whitmer’s desk for final consideration.
Introduced by state Representative Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), House Bill 5956 as passed by the Michigan Legislature (text) reads:
An insurer that delivers, issues for delivery, or renews in this state a health insurance policy shall not discriminate with respect to participation under the health insurance policy against a health professional who is acting within the scope of the health professional’s license granted under article 15 of the public health code…
The bill also:
- Does not require insurers to contract with any health professional willing to abide by the terms and conditions for participation established by the insurer.
- Does not prevent an insurer from establishing varying reimbursement rates based on quality or performance measures.
Governor Whitmer’s Options
Upon receipt of House Bill 5956, Governor Whitmer has 14 days to consider the bill. She can:
Sign the bill into law. As the bill was given immediate effect by both chambers of the Legislature, HB 5956 would become law after the Governor signs and files it with the Secretary of State.
- Veto the bill and return it to the House of Representatives with a message stating her objections.
- Choose not to sign or veto the bill. If the Governor chooses this option, House Bill 5956 would not become law, as the Michigan Legislature will have adjourned sine die (signaling the end of the current legislature) before the end of the 14 days.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
