Coronavirus: What Michigan Family Physicians Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, local health departments, and Academy continue to monitor an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has spread to other locations globally.

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e-Prescribing Bills Pass State Legislature

The Michigan Legislature sent three bills to the Governor's desk this week that require physicians to send all prescriptions, including those for controlled substances, to the pharmacy electronically.

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State Budget, Prior Authorization Await Movement During Summer Legislative Recess

As state legislators head to their home districts for the summer recess, the largest outstanding item on the legislative agenda is the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 state budget that must be approved by Oct. 1. MAFP continues to advocate for investing in primary care workforce initiatives, as well as reforming the prior authorization process. SB 612, which aims to bring consistency and transparency to the prior authorization process, took a back seat as the Legislature focused on COVID-19 related issues this spring and summer.

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New Vaccine Bill Means Safer Schools, Healthier Students

The Safe Schools–Healthy Students Act (Senate Bills 979-981), introduced on June 23 by state Senator Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing), extends proof of immunization requirements to students entering 12th grade. Currently, state law requires that parents provide proof of vaccinations before children enter kindergarten, 7th grade, or before they enter school for the first time.

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