HB 5966 Summary

• Establishes MIcare, a universal, publicly financed and administered health care system providing coverage to all Michigan residents regardless of income or health status, with no premiums, deductibles, or cost-sharing requirements.

• Creates a 13-member MIcare Board with representatives from health care professions, health economics, public health, and patient populations to oversee payment reform, set provider rates (at least 25% above Medicare rates), and develop a unified claims payment system.

• Consolidates coverage under Medicaid, Medicare, MIChild, and employer plans into a single MIcare program, with implementation occurring 90 days after federal waiver approval, financing legislation, and board approval of benefits package.

• Requires the board to develop a 3-year budget proposal to the legislature, establish evidence-based payment methodologies, reduce administrative costs, and negotiate lower prices through unified payment leverage.

• MIcare benefits include primary care, preventive care, hospital services, mental health, prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, substance use treatment, reproductive health, long-term care, autism treatment, and other medically necessary services as defined by the board.