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House panel hears bill to remove sunset from Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
Summary
House Bill 4,032, which would remove the sunset on Michigan’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, was presented to the House Health Policy Committee; witnesses described the compact as a tool to speed physician licensure across 40 states and to help rural recruitment.
House Bill 4,032, which would remove the sunset from Michigan’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), was presented to the Michigan House Health Policy Committee and received testimony but no vote.
Sponsor Representative Linting told the committee that the bill “eliminates the sunset on the interstate medical licensure compact,” and that without the legislation the compact would expire in March of this year. She said the compact is an agreement among 40 states that allows expedited licensure for qualified physicians and argued the measure would help address physician shortages and improve access to care in rural communities.
Adam Carlson of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (identified in testimony as representing the Hospital Association) told the committee extending the compact is “particularly important” for rural areas and noted the compact permits participating states to share disciplinary and investigative information so member states can ensure providers are qualified.
Dr. Moe Salame, chief medical officer for Trinity Health Michigan Medical Groups, appeared by Zoom and described the compact as “vitally important” for recruiting physicians and streamlining licensing. Salame said Trinity Health serves both metropolitan and rural areas in Michigan and that, with demographic changes and provider shortages, keeping the compact in place helps reduce lead time for applicants and supports hiring.
Committee members asked questions. Representative Brenda Carter asked whether Michigan’s participation in the compact has caused problems; Carlson answered, “Not to our…knowledge,” and said Michigan has participated for several years. Representative Morgan Forman asked whether the administration or the licensing department had issues with compacts; witnesses deferred to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and stated, to their understanding, that LARA supports the compact.
No motion or committee vote on House Bill 4,032 was recorded during this meeting; the item was taken up as a committee hearing with witnesses and questions only.
Clarifying details noted during testimony included that supporters said the compact covers 40 states and that the compact includes mechanisms for states to share disciplinary action and investigative information. Witnesses identified the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs as the agency usually responsible for licensure matters and said it supports the compact, according to witnesses.
The committee did not take a formal vote on House Bill 4,032 at this meeting.
