Governor Whitmer, House Speaker Jason Wentworth, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, Senator Lana Theis, and Representative Daire Rendon

Individuals and their families who have been injured just cannot wait for the Legislature to do the right thing. Go to our Facebook page, We Can't Wait, because it is true...#WeCantWait.

Our Legislature voted in changes to Michigan’s auto insurance law that had covered the care for severely and catastrophically injured crash victims for decades. Now, as of July 1, 2021, changes will take effect that will reduce the reimbursement for providers caring for these patients by 45%, devastating a critical system of care and leaving severely injured individuals with nowhere to go.

A recent survey shows that 86% of specialized care providers—such as rehabilitation facilities, physician specialists, home health care providers, family care providers and long-term care facilities—will no longer remain open or accept those patients covered by no-fault insurance. Many victims will not be able to have a meaningful recovery without these services and many healthcare heroes working in Michigan’s nationally recognized rehabilitation field and home health industries will lose their jobs. As a result, a vast number of patients will have no identifiable alternative for their care, and future crash victims will find access to needed rehabilitation unavailable.  

Two bipartisan bills—HB 4486 and SB 314—have been introduced to correct the fee schedule. These bills reflect the spirit and intent of auto insurance reform and will keep ethical and quality providers in business. Currently, Senate Majority Leader Shirkey and House Speaker Jason Wentworth are not advancing these bills and want to "wait and see" how this will impact patients and the rehabilitation industry in Michigan. If not fixed immediately, providers will be forced to transition patients out of programs and services, leaving many patients without care. Their lives are on the line.

Individuals and their families who have been injured cannot wait for the Legislature to do the right thing. Go to our Facebook page We Can't Wait because it is true... #wecantwait.