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Hospitals and nurse advocates support Michigan joining nurse‑licensure compact, citing staffing and telehealth benefits
Summary
Representatives from Trinity Health Michigan and nurse advocates told the House Health Policy Committee that joining the Nurse Licensure Compact would improve staffing flexibility, telehealth access and emergency redeployment of nurses; witnesses noted other states’ experience and debated continuing‑education concerns.
Doctor Doug DeCenzo, regional chief nursing officer for Trinity Health Michigan, testified in support of House Bill 4246, which would permit Michigan to join the Nurse Licensure Compact. DeCenzo said the state faces workforce pressure: a Michigan Health and Hospital Association survey found “almost 5,000 nurse vacancies in hospitals statewide,” and Trinity Health’s virtual‑care model currently must recruit virtual nurses solely from Michigan, “further exhausting the state's nursing talent pool.”
DeCenzo told the committee that 41 states and two U.S. territories have entered compacts and argued there is no evidence the compact reduces patient‑care quality. “A nurse licensure compact in Michigan would allow nurses to practice more easily, conveniently, and cost effectively across state lines,” he said, adding it would help with emergency redeployment and telehealth.
Sherry Martin, a nurse with decades of clinical experience, also spoke in support and recounted her career path and belief that the compact would grant nurses greater professional flexibility. Martin said she has advocated for the compact for years and urged lawmakers to “move into the future,” noting many other states already participate.
Witness cards were read into the record for professional organizations that registered support (some indicated they did not wish to speak) and other stakeholders were listed as having filed cards either supporting or opposing the bill. Committee members thanked witnesses and noted the committee would continue consideration of related bills.
No formal committee action on HB 4246 was recorded during this segment; testimony continued elsewhere on the agenda.
