(Source: MIRS.news, Published 5/1/2024) An alternate exam could be developed and used by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for those looking to become licensed paramedics under legislation the House passed Wednesday with bipartisan support.
According to Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), this would provide a valuable second option for paramedics that would ultimately increase capacity in the state.
Currently, prospective paramedics must pass written and practical evaluations developed and approved by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
SB 249, introduced by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), would keep the national accreditation as an option, but would develop a separate exam through DHHS.
The Department would have two years to come up with the criteria and choose a fee which could not exceed the national licensing fee of $152.
Licensees would then have the option to either become nationally licensed or go through the DHHS.
The bill is identical to HB 6086, which was introduced by former Rep. Jeff Yaroch in 2022, and which passed the House, 102-6.
Previous estimations found that establishing an examination program would cost DHHS around $2 million, with annual costs of $1.6 million per year and 15 full-time positions to implement and maintain the program.
A fee similar to that of the national registry, which could alleviate some of the program cost, has been estimated to produce revenue of $152,000.
The bill would also make a change to notification requirements given out by education sponsors, which conduct training for licensed emergency medical services professions and are reviewed and approved by DHHS.
The bill was supported by the Michigan Professional Firefighters, the Association of Michigan Fire Chiefs, the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society, the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services and the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union.
It was opposed by the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians.
On the floor, it passed, 101-4. Republican Reps. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers), Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix) and Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) were joined by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) in voting no. Reps. Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo), Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), Sarah L. Lightner (R-Springport), Matt Maddock (R-Milford) and Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) were excused.
Rogers told MIRS her vote remained consistent with her voting record last term.
Other health policy legislation taken up Wednesday as Sen. Sarah ANTHONY (D-Lansing)’s SB 27, a bill requiring health insurers to provide coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorder services at the same rate as offered for medical and surgical benefits in the same classification.
The bill would also prohibit additional financial requirements from being applied to mental health care benefits.
It passed, 93-12. Reps. Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron), Carra, Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan), Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), James Desana (R-Carleton), Joseph D. Fox (R-Fremont), Friske, Jaime Greene (R-Richmond), Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa), Brad Paquette (R-Niles), Schriver and Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville) voted no.
The bill's passage was applauded by Attorney General Dana Nessel, who said, "Michigan residents need legislation like Senate Bill 27 to require health insurers to provide parity in their coverage for substance use disorders and mental health treatments, the same as they cover similar medical benefits.
“We can strengthen the federal requirements by installing a state-level mandate and at the same time close loopholes that allow insurers to evade their responsibilities to consumers,” Nessel said. “A patient’s need for treatment of substance use disorder, or any other mental health needs can be every bit as acute, urgent and vital to a patient’s well-being as any other medical intervention.”
