Representatives and witnesses told the Michigan House Rules Committee that bills to permit veterinary telehealth would increase access to veterinary care for families who face transportation, cost, or geographic barriers.

Representative Pawetsky presented House Bill 4221 as a companion to HB 4220 and said the bill would require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to promulgate rules to implement substantive changes enabling veterinary telehealth. “This bill would allow for the use of veterinary telehealth medicine,” Pawetsky said, and emphasized the legislation is intended to restore flexibilities that were allowed under pandemic emergency rules.

Dr. Crystal Sapp, vice president of veterinary medicine at Michigan Humane, testified in support and described how telehealth would help shelters and clients who cannot bring animals into a clinic. “The ability to provide veterinary care to a patient via telehealth who is unable to be brought into one of our clinics for an in-person appointment would be a vital tool,” Dr. Sapp said. She told the committee Michigan Humane operates three veterinary clinics in Detroit, Westland and Rochester Hills.

Caitlin Stadler, legislative director for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Great Lakes Region (ASPCA), said the bill would allow Michigan-licensed veterinarians to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship through telehealth. Stadler summarized two prescription-related limits included in the proposal: a maximum duration of prescriptions of 14 days with a single refill if the veterinarian determines continued treatment is medically appropriate, and a prohibition on prescribing controlled substances without an in-person visit.

Witnesses told the committee they consulted with LARA and the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine on the rulemaking and noted some veterinarians expressed concerns about lost in-office revenue, but most supported retaining veterinarian discretion to require an in-person visit where appropriate. Several organizations submitted written testimony in support, including the State Bar of Michigan animal law section, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Virtual Veterinary Care Association, Michigan Pet Alliance and local veterinarians.

Committee members asked about safeguards and whether telehealth visits could be provided by out-of-state providers; witnesses said the bills require the treating veterinarian to be licensed in Michigan. No final committee vote on the substantive telehealth rules bill was recorded in the testimony segment; the sponsor said the department had been consulted and raised only timing concerns about rulemaking.

The committee hearing included multiple supportive statements and a detailed discussion of rulemaking responsibilities for LARA and the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine.