CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

House Bill 4440 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Robert L. Kosowski

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 9-25-18

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4440 would add a section to Article 5 (Prevention and Control of Diseases and Disabilities) of the Public Health Code that would require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase awareness of cytomegalovirus in specified ways.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common herpes virus that infects people of all ages.[1] While most people with CMV display no symptoms, some may display minor symptoms like fever and fatigue. However, babies born with CMV can have brain, liver, spleen, lung, and growth problems. The most common health problem displayed by babies born with congenital CMV is hearing loss.

The bill would require DHHS to develop or approve and disseminate informational materials on CMV by 90 days after the bill takes effect. These materials would have to educate women who may become pregnant, expectant parents, and parents of infants about CMV and raise awareness of CMV among health care providers that treat those populations.

The materials would have to include all of the following:

·         The incidence of CMV.

·         The transmission of CMV to pregnant women and women who may become pregnant.

·         Birth defects caused by congenital CMV.

·         Methods of diagnosing congenital CMV.

·         Testing opportunities and options for CMV for a parent of an infant.

·         Available preventative measures to avoid the infection of women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

·         Early intervention services for a parent of an infant with congenital CMV.

Additionally, the bill would require DHHS to post all of this information on its website. DHHS could also solicit and accept assistance of a medical association or community resource that DHHS considers relevant, including a faith-based resource, in order to promote education about CMV.

Health care provider, under the bill, would mean an individual licensed or otherwise authorized to engage in a health profession under Article 15 (Occupations) of the Code, or a health facility or agency licensed under Article 17 (Facilities and Agencies) of the Code.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Proposed MCL 333.5143

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4440 has fiscal implications of up to $100,000 for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to: a) develop information materials; b) disseminate the materials to educate women, new or expecting parents, and licensed health care providers who serve expectant mothers or infants; and c) post the information on the DHHS website.

Development and publication of materials would require DHHS and contractual staff time initially and for subsequent updates. If dissemination for education and awareness can be accomplished with production of 100,000 brochures and electronic notification to applicable licensed providers, the cost should be well below $100,000. Dissemination of printed materials through the postal service to providers would have a higher cost.

The Department indicates an estimated cost of $100,000 per year.

Dissemination by DHHS to providers may be done in cooperation with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) as the licensing entity of health professionals and health facilities and agencies. In 2016, close to 113,400 births were recorded in Michigan.

The bill would have no fiscal impact on local units of government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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