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Houghton County unanimously adopts resolution opposing MDHHS plan to competitively procure PIHP services
Summary
The Houghton County Board adopted Resolution #25-19 opposing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed competitive procurement for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs), citing risks to local control and service continuity; the board directed that copies be sent to the governor and state health director.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 15 adopted Resolution #25-19 unanimously opposing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) proposal to implement a competitive procurement process for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs).
Why it matters: the resolution expresses local concern that competitive procurement could allow private or outside managed care organizations to assume control of services and thereby disrupt longstanding local relationships among counties, community mental health providers and residents who rely on public behavioral health services.
What the resolution says: the board’s adopted text states that the existing publicly managed PIHP system ‘‘has consistently demonstrated value, local accountability, and community engagement’’ and warns that privatization ‘‘could disrupt longstanding relationships’’ and ‘‘jeopardize the person-centered, recovery-oriented approach’’ developed under the current public system. The resolution urges Governor Gretchen Whitmer, MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel and the Michigan Legislature to halt plans for privatization and to collaborate with counties and stakeholders on any future bids.
Board action: Commissioner Roy Britz moved adoption of Resolution #25-19 and Commissioner Glenn Anderson seconded; the motion carried on a roll-call vote recorded in the minutes as yes from all five commissioners. The clerk was instructed to transmit copies of the adopted resolution to the governor, the MDHHS director, local legislators and the Michigan Association of Counties.
What’s next: the resolution is a formal statement of the county’s position; the minutes do not record any immediate response from state officials. Implementation steps recorded in the minutes include clerical transmission of the adopted text to the named state and legislative offices.
