Barry County opposes state plan to competitively procure behavioral health plans, citing local control concerns
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Summary
The Barry County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution #25-20 opposing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' plan to competitively procure Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans, saying privatization could disrupt local accountability and continuity of care for behavioral health services.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 12, 2025 voted to adopt Resolution #25-20 formally opposing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' proposed competitive procurement process for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs).
The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Commissioner Bob Teunessen and seconded by Commissioner Jon Smelker; the board recorded five ayes, with Commissioners Mike Callton, Bruce Campbell, David Hatfield, Jon Smelker and Bob Teunessen voting in favor and three members absent. The resolution directs county leaders to urge Governor Gretchen Whitmer, MDHHS leadership and the Legislature to halt any move toward privatization and to work with counties, CMHSPs and stakeholders to strengthen the public system.
The resolution states the county’s position that the existing PIHP structure provides local accountability, community engagement and continuity of care for people receiving Medicaid-funded behavioral health services. It expresses concern that opening the PIHP functions to private or out-of-area managed care organizations could jeopardize those relationships and the “person-centered, recovery-oriented” approach the resolution says the public system promotes.
The board’s action includes a directive that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to the governor, the MDHHS director, Barry County’s state legislative delegation and the Michigan Association of Counties.
The adoption occurred during routine business and followed a short discussion; no public testimony on the topic is recorded in the meeting minutes. The resolution text appears in the meeting record.