Concern for counties in bill that court orders sent to governor
The Michigan Court of Appeals this week ruled that House Republican leadership must transmit several long-stalled bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for potential signature or veto. Among those measures is House Bill 6058, by Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Macomb), which amends the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act (Public Act 152 of 2011) — legislation that directly impacts county employee benefit plans.
While MAC has long supported responsible efforts to control public-sector health care costs, HB 6058 introduces significant challenges for local governments and was advanced without meaningful consultation with county officials.
MAC supports the concept of raising the “hard cap” on employer contributions to better reflect rising health care costs. However, MAC strongly opposes other provisions of the bill that would undermine local budget stability and collective bargaining flexibility:
- Mandated 80 percent Employer Contribution: HB 6058 would require local governments to pay at least 80 percent of employee health insurance costs. This mandate removes local discretion and imposes unsustainable financial obligations on counties already facing limited revenue growth and rising costs in other service areas.
- Flawed Inflation Index: The bill ties annual increases in the hard cap to the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index. This approach fails to capture the full range of health care cost drivers, including prescription drug expenses, and is impractical, as insurers do not separately report the medical care component to the Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
- No Financial Offset for Mandated Costs: The legislation does not include any appropriation or fiscal support to help local units absorb these higher costs.
Combined with recent property tax exemptions, state-imposed mandates, and ongoing uncertainty around revenue sharing, this bill represents another example of policy decisions made without sufficient collaboration with local governments — the very entities charged with implementing them.
Whether the decision will be appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court remains uncertain. MAC will be submitting a letter of opposition to the governor once the bills are finally transmitted to her for consideration.
For more information on this issue, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
SNAP funding in limbo for 1.4 million Michigan residents
As the federal budget standoff in Washington continues, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified state officials that disbursement of funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could be disrupted if the shutdown drags on.
Here in Michigan, more than 1.4 million residents rely on SNAP every month to help meet basic nutritional needs. If federal funding is delayed, it would temporarily halt those benefits and create an immediate strain for families and individuals who count on the program to put food on the table.
Many local governments and nonprofits already are bracing for the ripple effects. Michigan’s food banks and charitable organizations could see a major surge in demand, stretching already-limited resources.
This week, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 182, by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Ingham), a former Ingham County commissioner, which aims to backfill a portion of SNAP benefits if federal dollars are held up. The bill reflects a strong bipartisan effort to protect Michigan families from being caught in the middle of the budget standoff. Unfortunately, the timing makes it unlikely to prevent an interruption in benefits — the Legislature isn’t scheduled to meet next week, and the bill wouldn’t take effect in time to keep payments from being delayed by Nov. 1.
Michigan officials are reviewing next steps, and MAC will continue to watch the situation closely and keep counties informed as more details become available.
For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at Johnson@micounties.org.
House committee considers Antrim County judgeship bill
A bill to create the Antrim County 99th District Court received testimony in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. House Bill 4749, by Rep. John Roth (R-Grand Traverse), would allow the Antrim County probate judge to serve as both probate and district judge.
The 86th District Court now operates under an intercounty operating agreement between Antrim, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Under HB 4749, Antrim County residents would be better served with the creation of a 99th District Court and have closer, more immediate access to court resources.
MAC supports this legislation.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
Medical Examiner legislation receives Senate hearing
Legislation to require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to establish an online platform for medical certifications of death and stipulates when a medical examiner must investigate the cause of death for an individual without medical attendance received testimony in the Senate Health Policy Committee on Wednesday.
House Bills 4077 and 4078, by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Genesee) respectively, could create cost savings for counties.
HB 4077 allows for cost savings for counties that do not currently use an online death reporting system. The change to online reporting would allow for labor cost savings. Also under HB 4077, removing the provisions for when a case must be referred to a county medical examiner would reduce workload and cost.
MAC and the Michigan Association of County Clerks support the bills.
For more information, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
Bills to remove fees, require law enforcement service of PPOs under study
A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a legal remedy available to individuals seeking protection from stalking, harassment, assault, or domestic violence. Under current statute, once a PPO is signed by a judge, it is enforceable when served upon the respondent. There have been concerns that costs and delays of service are barriers to victims seeking protection.
Senate Bill 611, by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Wayne), would eliminate the fee for service of a domestic violence related PPO. Senate Bill 612, by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Oakland), would require that a law enforcement agency serve the PPO on a respondent. The bill stipulates how many service attempts must be made within a certain time frame. SB 612 also creates the Personal Protection Order Service Fund, which would reimburse a law enforcement agency $50 for every served PPO.
MAC continues to work with the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association and the bill sponsors to remedy the unfunded mandates posed by the legislation.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
Key medical care facility funding measure advances in House
This week, the House Insurance Committee unanimously approved House Bill 4726, by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Tuscola), a former MAC Board president, sending it to the House floor.
Under current law, the so-called Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funding mechanism for county medical care facilities (MCFs) will expire on Dec. 31. If this method lapses, funding for MCFs will be significantly harmed.
HB 4726 would extend the MOE sunset to Dec. 31, 2030, ensuring this critical funding mechanism remains in place in the near term. While the bill does not create a permanent fix to the MOE structure, it keeps the issue active for future discussion and leaves open the opportunity for continued dialogue on a long-term solution that could better address the fiscal and operational needs of county medical care facilities.
MAC and the Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council previously testified in support of the bill.
For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at Johnson@micounties.org.
Podcast 83: Is ‘pressure’ off for action at State Capitol?
County leaders should not expect to see a great deal of action in the State Capitol as autumn turns to winter, MAC’s Podcast 83 team reported in their newest episode.
“I mean, there’s really no … pressure on the Legislature needing something to get done,” said host Stephan Currie. “They got together (on paid sick time rules early in 2025) and got something done. The next thing really wasn’t until the budget, and that took a long time, obviously, to get done. Now, there’s really nothing out there that I can think of that would be really an urgent ‘Hey, they need this by this date to get done’ until we get to the next budget, right?”
That said, the MAC team reviewed news affecting counties from the State Capitol and the courts:
House Bill 4726, by Rep. Matthew Bierlein, a former MAC Board president, is expected to reach the House floor by the end of the week. The legislation would extend the sunset for MOE (Maintenance of Effort) payments for county medical care facilities.
Senate Bill 314, by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-Macomb), has cleared the Senate and moved to the House of Representatives. The legislation would remove the work hour cap for rehired county retirees.
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a ruling that counties cannot deduct legal expenses from surplus funds generated by tax foreclosure sales before returning those funds to former property owners. The opinion clarifies that only certain costs — such as those that could have been included in a property’s minimum bid price at auction — may be deducted.
For more details, view the full episode by clicking here or on the image above.
Attention County HR directors: Blue Cross offers class on integrating medical, dental and vision benefits
Integrating medical, dental and vision benefits can improve health outcomes and decrease medical spending. In fact, several chronic conditions have a strong correlation with both vision and oral health issues. Join this Master Class to hear how the integration of medical, dental and vision products allows Blue Cross to uniquely target those members to deliver whole-person health and encourage regular preventive care.
Register here to join BCBSM on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern time as they discuss:
- The definition of whole-person health
- How integrated benefits can lead to improved health outcomes and less care fragmentation, while reducing health care costs
- Examples of specific benefit changes and enhancements with integrated products
- Tools and resources employers can use to promote regular eye exams and dental care to potentially avoid costly consequences
For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield’s service options for counties, visit https://micounties.org/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-michigan/.
Staff picks
- As data center boom hits Michigan, utilities hedge against a bust (Bridge Michigan)
- Michigan State to build outdoor lab to study solar panels on farmlands (MLive)
- Kent County judges declare ‘child welfare emergency’ amid foster care funding cuts from state (WZZM)
- Dozens of costumed canines get their chance to trick-or-treating at Howloween event in Michigan (Associated Press)