This afternoon, Sen. Shirkey is likely to try to pass a watered-down version of his CMH privatization bills in an attempt to “keep them alive” for further negotiations. We may not know what the new proposal is. However, the rumor has been to move all of foster care over to a private insurance company and then the state would create 1 statewide entity to manage the other populations (essentially going from 10 PIHPs to 1 PHIP). NASW-MI nor our allies have been part of the discussions with Sen. Shirkey and Rep. Whiteford.
We believe any compromise bill between Sen. Shirkey and Rep. Whiteford will be equally as harmful as the current version of SBs 597 & 598, which would still privatize Medicaid mental health services by giving them financial control and oversight or decision making to for-profit insurance companies.
REQUEST FOR ACTION: We are asking you to reach out to your legislators (House & Senate) and the Governor and URGE them to not support a LAME DUCK deal on SBs 597 & 598. Let them know you oppose these efforts to undermine local control of the mental health system. Stakeholders have not been part of the recent or meaningful discussions and the Legislature should not be making changes of this magnitude with so few legislative days left.
Print Page
Email to a Friend
