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Senate advances maternal-health omnibus: lawmakers say package aims to address obstetric inequities
Summary
Senators described a multi-bill package (Senate bills 29–34 and 36–39, including creation of a biased-and-unjust-care reporting mechanism) intended to improve prenatal and perinatal outcomes, expand midwifery coverage, and require reporting on biased or unjust perinatal care. Several bills in the package passed the Senate.
Senator Geiss described a multi-bill maternal-health package on the floor, calling it a "Michigan omnibus" designed to improve birthing experiences and to reduce disparities in perinatal care.
"These bills ... paved the way for positive birthing experiences that are grounded in joy and love. By dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately impact black and brown birthing people, the Michigan Omnibus brings us 1 step closer to achieving equity and justice in reproductive and obstetric care," Geiss said on the floor while urging passage of the package.
Package components described on the floor included the creation of a Biased and Unjust Care Reporting Act, duties for the maternal mortality review team, a requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services publish studies/reports on biased or unjust perinatal care, provisions to add licensed midwives to essential health provider repayment programs, insurer reimbursement for licensed midwives, expanded Medicaid coverage for perinatal and gynecological services, and protections for patient advocates making life-sustaining-treatment decisions.
What the record shows: Multiple bills in the package were taken up and recorded on final passage votes. On the floor the Secretary announced the following recorded outcomes for bill items tied to the package: SB 29 passed 22–14–1; SB 30 passed 22–14–1; SB 31 passed 22–14–1; SB 32 passed 36–0–1 (insurance-related bill in package); SB 33 passed 19–17–1; SB 34 passed 22–14–1; SB 36 passed 36–0–1; SB 37 passed 27–9–1; SB 38 and SB 39 each passed 36–0–1. Sponsors said the package also requires coordination among DHHS and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) for data collection and policy actions.
Discussion vs. decision: Geiss and co-sponsors framed the bills as corrective and equity-focused; recorded roll-call votes show bipartisan support on several components and more divided votes on others. No floor amendments were pending to the bills at the time of final passage.
