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Senate adopts maternal-health omnibus package, expanding reporting and coverage
Summary
The Michigan Senate passed a package of maternal-health bills (SB29–SB34; SB36–SB39) that supporters say will expand reporting, protect patient rights, and broaden coverage and reimbursement for midwifery and perinatal services.
The Michigan Senate voted to pass a package of bills addressing maternal health and perinatal care, advancing a suite of measures described by supporters as an effort to reduce disparities and expand access to services.
Senator Geiss, sponsor and floor advocate for the package, described the group of measures — referenced on the floor as Senate Bills 29 through 34 and 36 through 39 — as a ‘‘maternal omnibus’’ aimed at improving prenatal and perinatal outcomes and dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black and brown birthing people. Geiss said the bills would require the Department of Health and Human Services to post studies and reports about biased or unjust perinatal care and would codify duties for the maternal mortality review team.
Senator Geiss also said the package would create a reporting mechanism for patients to self-report experiences of obstetric racism, require hospitals to show policies that protect patients’ rights (including bringing a doula or companion during labor), and direct the Department of Insurance and Financial Services to collect information from malpractice insurers about perinatal coverage. The bills would expand Medicaid coverage for certain perinatal and gynecological services, require private insurers to reimburse licensed midwives, and add licensed midwives to the essential health provider repayment program, according to the floor summary.
On final passage the bills recorded a mix of roll-call outcomes on the floor (tallies vary by bill). For example, Senate Bill 29 passed 22-14 with one excused; several related bills in the package recorded similar 22-14-1 tallies on final passage, while other bills in the group passed by larger margins or unanimously, depending on the bill and the committee of reference. The transcript records the secretary’s announced tallies for each final-passage vote; the package was presented to the floor with no amendments pending when each bill reached final action.
Sponsor remarks emphasized equity and the role of community advocates in shaping the legislation. Senator Geiss asked that her remarks be printed in the journal.
