[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6475009,"mediaKeyId","5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a","parentId",5737890,"title","MDHHS Director Open to Standardizing Local Implementation of School Vaccination Exemptions","audioSeconds",203,"startMs",2473000,"endMs",2676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a&start=2473&end=2676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a/thumbnail_2473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475009/Michigan/MDHHS-Director-Open-to-Standardizing-Local-Implementation-of-School-Vaccination-Exemptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475009-26805538904cd4785ebcf5b3a8eef9a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571704&Signature=WdOct6CZf7-9sP8u7recMG7mgzD8ftK5PXcwcnvLWMfrFtDOLyqej2ivW3hdMtboVIvz7iqLRB4t4vQkGQ90Tg99xt2c5esJi7KD4fVEDB5YH19nX3mXv0o0RQoKCitvHlNqtQuk0XpFCS8xDfTeiG50h631JGPOgVso-XP3bEPtIGaaxzgIeOaguRgBAhV4snn6jXucmhQ2Uen25e4z5vnaecoXJjtLZE~GCwrRHLyK3h25dwJ6YS9FFAk4kf6hfZ6gdrr9yFUYEu1bJnZFaIQCHZdOMgARXcu6US~PZrjai1O663V0zfts8YqCwYw6eJkQ6jU3Oy0wTCXcnAMJlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan Legislature","date","2025-09-08T17:18:53Z","article","Representative Green told the committee that Michigan statute allows parents to present a certificate of immunization, a physician‑certified medical exemption, or a written statement of religious or other objection for school vaccinations, but that MDHHS administrative rules add requirements — including mandatory local health department appointments and state‑issued waiver forms — that vary by county and can create burdens for families.

Green said the added steps fall unevenly on families and described a Macomb County practice where a parent must appear repeatedly. She asked whether rules are meant to clarify statute and whether MDHHS would work to standardize the process so parents would only need to appear once. Hertel responded that rules “are meant to help implement the law” and said she would “be willing to work with the health departments to ensure that there's a standard across the state for how those rules are implemented,” adding she believed the process should be “as easy for parents as possible.”

Ending: Hertel agreed to work with local health departments and lawmakers on implementation standards to reduce repeated burdens on families seeking exemptions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Oversight - 9/9/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Green told Director Elizabeth Hertel that administrative rules implementing school vaccination exemptions impose extra steps for parents compared with statute; Hertel said she would work with local health departments to create more uniform, easier procedures.","taxTitle","2025 House Legislature MI, Michigan","taxId",77683,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475014,"Lawmakers Press Hertel on Oversight Role at Michigan Public Health Institute",94,2718000,2812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a&start=2718&end=2812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a/thumbnail_2718000.jpg","/articles/6475014/Michigan/Lawmakers-Press-Hertel-on-Oversight-Role-at-Michigan-Public-Health-Institute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475014-e9c2b501a050058530e0ba4bd5098343/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571704&Signature=I1EiW6AeacgQv8K0FTCU4awYuskK8t86Ig89n5hlvVO33W2ay452NzN89lXwdwncb18opVfEfTHYy8bKkwmBVyG2qBpMOJtZhV4K1GEp-W14sRD-MhlhzYxKmpk61Jny2T7jXjJbi~z-SHTwsLgNhZdvfrT6dBOqIVe60b1vt8JU~fcJ4HZEVQ5-qDQCD1YJkVFoHRFEuHT1baU0LobSn5ku4eN0MfVDHFxMJsLUkoRP2nNnxiDiNbXks1c7I~v2o~2ttS4bYZkDLoE1Wy~96C8dFPvuWDz4iOAAtxbHU4zEFG9BpIl6xih2NwIdwiwLgqtBqE-l3piSv5h2LXdB~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Green asked Elizabeth Hertel about the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), where Hertel serves as board chair. Green asked whether MPHI currently partners on projects with universities and questioned transparency and audit processes for MPHI, saying the institute receives both state and federal funds.

Hertel said she is the board chair, not the CEO, and that she is not involved in MPHI’s day‑to‑day operations. She said MPHI works with an internal auditor (SVO) on program audits and that a significant portion of MPHI funding flows through the Department of Health and Human Services, making MDHHS responsible for oversight of those funds.

Green said oversight has been an issue in prior committee work and asked whether MPHI provides pro bono services to out‑of‑state entities; Hertel said she did not know.

Ending: Hertel said MDHHS does oversight of funds that pass through the department and uses internal audit resources for MPHI‑funded programs; lawmakers said they would continue oversight of any nonprofit spending public funds.","Representative Green and others questioned Director Hertel about her role as chair of the Michigan Public Health Institute board, transparency of MPHI funding and audits, and MDHHS oversight of grants that flow through the nonprofit.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475019,"Oversight Committee Questions MDHHS on Psychiatric Bed Capacity and PIHP Procurement",364,1680000,2044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a&start=1680&end=2044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a/thumbnail_1680000.jpg","/articles/6475019/Michigan/Oversight-Committee-Questions-MDHHS-on-Psychiatric-Bed-Capacity-and-PIHP-Procurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475019-2b228d29c118fa3241fa5a65612b4614/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571704&Signature=DsReHjstlMW1HdnfwkOiyXyuJmK6pKJfYb29wcves~Opuq97jPh92TU8pHcYShcb~0IE2QGqHNj2QDQwsEdoeI8EQnlueMre~F1zyk48q8BmhjbGvC0VGbefwYwKJGC7cEpWGPQRKcFnqTtPoGRrAzzeqlIYMMEZS72lvkj4P4Hqh9as2OqNGuL~HoruE-rMhJndbQNorWl7luJgBLA8oCVsEK-2KPuPnaDFg6lEfZy24WGn2zOYCO9TYVxQi0qc6dV1-miWNrvqu2PMzbxuzvEQVzoiRFjDZQ4XLtVdgSrkc~Bds3ARAte0L5RDQ5NP7DuOrqCMYlKDnIrpJ~Njqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bierlein and other members asked Elizabeth Hertel whether Michigan has an adequate number of inpatient psychiatric beds. Hertel said there is \"a fairly adequate number of inpatient psychiatric beds in the state of Michigan\" but added that the state needs more psychiatric facilities, especially capacity for crisis stabilization, short‑term residential and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the department prefers not to expand the state’s footprint on inpatient psychiatric hospitals because the state has difficulty recruiting and retaining staff at state salary levels.

Members questioned a recent decision to reduce planned capacity at a previously authorized facility in Caro. Hertel said Caro was never intended to be 300 beds and that authorizations and authoring language vary; a committee member said the decision reduced a previously funded plan from a larger capacity to 100 beds and pressed Hertel for why that occurred. Hertel replied she was not the decision‑maker for actions taken before her tenure.

Representative Manser raised procurement questions about the department’s PIHP request for proposals (RFP) for behavioral‑health managed care. Manser quoted language in the RFP that treated capital reserves differently depending on contractor governance: private nonprofits and public universities would have no upper limit on capital reserves, while public bodies could be capped and required to return reserves to the state at contract end. Manser argued the language created unequal incentives across governance types and said the RFP language on disposition of capital reserves could advantage some bidders. Hertel said she could not comment on specifics because there is pending litigation and an open RFP.

Hertel said community mental health organizations (CMHs) play a role in delivering services and that the PIHP model has operated in Michigan for about 25 years as an organized, Medicaid‑funded system, though she declined to discuss specifics of the active procurement because of litigation.

Ending: The committee detailed concerns about inpatient capacity, the consequences of relying on private providers for psychiatric services, and the fairness and transparency of procurement terms; Hertel said she would not comment on an open solicitation and litigation but described system priorities including a spectrum of behavioral‑health services and partnerships with CMHs.","Committee members pressed MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel about psychiatric bed shortages, the state’s preference not to expand state‑run hospitals, and fairness concerns in a pending PIHP RFP that has prompted litigation and questions about capital reserve rules.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475024,"Lawmakers Warn MDHHS of SNAP Error‑Rate Penalties and MI Bridges Verification Gaps",1029,2853000,3882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a&start=2853&end=3882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a/thumbnail_2853000.jpg","/articles/6475024/Michigan/Lawmakers-Warn-MDHHS-of-SNAP-ErrorRate-Penalties-and-MI-Bridges-Verification-Gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475024-2511a591e9154290dc9c22c36312f047/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571704&Signature=cQswUKxTcAswKCows2ZH-GLatbgy17uhlPfxOVtO4zyrccMpb~RDRNwmQZdbbeOjf32cwbdINRsAYyobo46j4aVJE8id7fwGQ3pRJp9e9lzxFIEAfSH~h263FKEnXaEjUcvnZBKjn3N4ZHwl-Zsno8YsMrPa9guM9MiLMZck45uYEYPHf4VyBOfuze22XuGqfE3ImFm7eQO57BTGPFIFFSIo6sgWl8gCO7RiLpCPXXfB95Lf1k6vyXtW2F5oiF6762tQvqT-rCXHYN9htPvCHsdKwds0Mxxq~ZUuUGhuB3Y9p7LhpM5sED9nEmAo065Mc~W3RgyE9n14HdXyLF694w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Wolford and other lawmakers told Director Elizabeth Hertel the department’s SNAP error rate has been high enough in recent years to trigger large federal penalties under new rules that take effect in October 2026.

Wolford and members cited department figures presented at the hearing: Michigan’s SNAP error rate reached about 13% in 2022; it was roughly 10.72% in 2023 and about 9.53% in 2024. Committee members said federal penalties would start when the rate exceeds 6% under the federal standard and described possible chargebacks running into the hundreds of millions of dollars in the years cited. At the hearing representatives calculated potential fiscal exposures using department benefit totals presented in committee.

Hertel said the department has reduced error rates since 2023 and is working with the federal government and other states on tools to prevent errors and fraud. She told the committee the department’s inspector general and work with the federal government are identifying front‑end tools and back‑end checks to lower error rates, and she emphasized the need to distinguish beneficiary reporting errors from state processing errors.

Lawmakers also criticized the MI Bridges online application portal (referred to at the hearing as the Bridge Card application). Representative Wolford said the system can be used to submit applications with minimal identity documentation and that much verification is performed later by staff. Wolford noted the state spent about $16,000,000 on the application and said a heavy reliance on back‑end verification increases caseworker workload and exposes the program to fraud. She asked why the department does not require documentary evidence at the point of application, citing 7 C.F.R. § 273.2, which identifies documentary verification as preferred for identity and residency.

Hertel responded that Michigan uses an integrated application that collects information for multiple programs and that some verification is performed automatically (for example, the MAGI match for Medicaid with Social Security databases). She said the department is working with USDA on SNAP data exchanges and with the Office of Inspector General on fraud detection tools. When asked if the department had refused to turn SNAP data over to USDA, Hertel said MDHHS was “working with them” and denied a blanket refusal.

Representative Manser and others asked for a report with corrective actions and timelines. Wolford warned that if error rates do not fall, the state could face significant fiscal penalties and urged immediate corrective steps.

Ending: Hertel said error rates are falling and that MDHHS will continue to deploy front‑end and back‑end checks with federal partners and the inspector general; lawmakers said they will seek specific corrective plans and timelines.","Committee members pressed MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel about Michigan’s SNAP error rate, potential federal penalties beginning in 2026, and verification practices for the MI Bridges/Bridge Card application that lawmakers say leave the program vulnerable to fraud.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6475029,"House Oversight Presses MDHHS on Child‑Welfare Decisions after Homelessness and Deaths",1996,707000,2703000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a&start=707&end=2703","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5737890-5224f5ee41af8deb093d15622e84a46a/thumbnail_707000.jpg","/articles/6475029/Michigan/House-Oversight-Presses-MDHHS-on-ChildWelfare-Decisions-after-Homelessness-and-Deaths","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475029-bb6b063a5f18e55d397f1ba3c7a80a8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571704&Signature=OacKkuJZDiRy5exyfGu5cy3Pkc0XDs4fnXPz94lzYO-LteTcpAp~9nxuZ6AoPx3mKrkK2XuqlkjiUBjM3e-LOKwyrhwC0AAwhZ9YshODjeYJsD3qsBwJFZLZXOG51iKMVSYWi-JG~bP1EWoUWphtZ3AOsLDDnkLN565sRM6hJza3h1cIzPo~CdeZC~OIM0YQC2XhwsbAyShGa32e0Wwr99akRuuPHP0XtDHiR1Al9VzZHXP--742ti7eh3vO8gmkbhqzxQjvizIWqV2nc2GULEMFBEiDlf2KSHZJb3aQ1XwautJGfM7t4cw~nEZKExlY~NrDPhIZLxMkDeIvMHRTCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Regas opened the hearing by asking Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, about two children, Daisy and Donald Arthur, ages 6 and 5, who were found living in a tent in Bedford Township in late 2023 and later found living in a car in April 2025.

Hertel said Children’s Protective Services (CPS) operates under the state child protection law and that CPS “does not substantiate” when an investigation does not meet the legal threshold for child abuse or neglect. She described efforts to expand prevention services, including embedding family resource specialists (FRS) — eligibility specialists who accompany CPS workers to offer housing, food and employment referrals — in some counties. “We want to be able to bring somebody with us who then can try to meet the needs of that family,” Hertel said.

Lawmakers pressed Hertel over whether the department’s response adequately protected the Arthur children. Representative Regas repeatedly asked Hertel to answer whether the living conditions shown in committee photos were acceptable; Hertel declined to answer a personal yes‑or‑no, saying her role is to “implement the law, not make choices for other parents.” Hertel said she was familiar with Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodenough’s account of the family and that, in April 2025, the children were removed from the home.

Multiple representatives said the events showed failures of system capacity and follow‑through. Representative Brock, who represents Monroe County, asked whether foster‑care licensing standards would have led CPS to intervene earlier; Hertel replied that foster licensing has different standards and that an unlicensed household would not be a foster family. Representatives also asked whether employees had been disciplined in the Arthur case; Hertel said confidentiality limits what she can disclose about specific child‑welfare files but said the family had been referred to resources and at times received shelter assistance.

Committee members connected the Arthur case to broader system reviews and audits. Hertel described the department’s “safe systems review” process — a sampling review of child deaths tied to child‑welfare cases intended to determine whether policies were followed — and said the Auditor General identified 150 deaths that were matched to the department’s master person index but were not open child‑welfare cases and therefore were not included in the safe systems sample. Hertel said the discrepancy led the department to clarify policy on which deaths are included in that review.

Members also raised placement capacity and child‑caring institutions (CCIs). Hertel said placements can be complex — some children require inpatient psychiatric care or stabilization before a residential bed is appropriate — and that the department maintains a waiting list and is working to expand capacity. Lawmakers quoted the department’s website saying 61 children were listed as “awaiting placement without an identified CCI.” Hertel said some children do not appear on a CCI waiting list because they require other services first, but she acknowledged placements and residential capacity remain an ongoing problem.

On remedies, Hertel said the department is expanding FRS prevention services county by county and tracking data through its case management system. She told the committee the department shares data with federal courts (noting the state is under a consent decree) and that it can produce case‑level tracking and aggregate metrics where allowed by confidentiality rules.

The committee did not take formal action. Members said they will request documentation and follow up on audits, placement wait‑lists and the department’s rollout schedule for embedded family resource specialists.

Ending: The oversight committee signaled continued scrutiny. Members asked Hertel for case documentation where confidentiality permits, for updates on the statewide expansion of prevention workers, and for clearer reporting on placement capacity and the auditor general’s findings.","Lawmakers pressed Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel over multiple child‑welfare cases — including two young siblings found living in a tent and later a car — and questioned department policies, auditing gaps and capacity at child‑caring institutions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

MDHHS Director Open to Standardizing Local Implementation of School Vaccination Exemptions

Lawmakers Press Hertel on Oversight Role at Michigan Public Health Institute

Oversight Committee Questions MDHHS on Psychiatric Bed Capacity and PIHP Procurement

Lawmakers Warn MDHHS of SNAP Error‑Rate Penalties and MI Bridges Verification Gaps

House Oversight Presses MDHHS on Child‑Welfare Decisions after Homelessness and Deaths