Chapter Advocacy Updates

NAPNAP Michigan Chapter

Advocacy Updates

Pediatric-focused clinicians see how policy decisions affect access, safety, families, and the care children receive. Our chapter helps members stay informed and use that expertise to advocate effectively.

Follow current Michigan legislation, connect with NAPNAP’s national policy work, and find practical ways to make your voice count.

Last reviewed July 2026
Take Action with NAPNAP View Michigan Updates

Current Michigan priority

Pending in the 2025–2026 Legislature

Nurse practitioner practice authority

House Bill 4399 and Senate Bill 268 propose changes to Michigan law governing the scope of practice and prescribing authority of certified nurse practitioners.

The revised House proposal would create a pathway for eligible nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances without a physician delegation agreement after meeting specified experience and continuing education requirements.

  • The House substitute includes a threshold of at least 1,000 nurse practitioner practice hours.
  • It includes 15 hours of pharmacology, therapeutics, or prescribing continuing education during each renewal cycle.
  • It would permit qualifying NPs to seek a direct Michigan controlled-substance license.
  • It retains a delegation pathway for less-experienced NPs while they work toward the required threshold.

The latest publicly available status reviewed for this page shows HB 4399 in the House Rules Committee after referral from the House Health Policy Committee. SB 268 remains referred to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee. Neither bill has become law.

Track House Bill 4399 Track Senate Bill 268
House

HB 4399

Current stage: Referred to the House Rules Committee with substitute H-1 after action by the House Health Policy Committee.

View Official Bill Record

Michigan leadership on the national stage

Jennifer Helman leads NAPNAP’s national health policy work

Jennifer Helman, MSN, CPNP-AC/PC

Michigan’s own Jennifer Helman is the new chair of NAPNAP’s Health Policy Committee, the national committee that leads legislative and advocacy updates for the association.

In this role, Jen provides NAPNAP’s weekly TeamPeds Policy Perspective and helps members understand emerging federal issues affecting children, families, pediatric care, and advanced practice nursing.

Her first update as chair addressed federal children’s online-safety legislation, including the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, along with other congressional developments.

Jen’s appointment reflects the strong policy leadership and advocacy expertise Michigan members contribute to NAPNAP nationally.

Watch Jen’s First Policy Update Read Inside the Beltway

National advocacy activity

Issues NAPNAP is advancing in 2026

NAPNAP works independently and through national coalitions to advance evidence-based policies for children, families, nurses, and pediatric-focused care.

01

Children’s Online Safety

Tracking federal proposals intended to strengthen privacy, parental tools, reporting mechanisms, and protections for children and adolescents on digital platforms.

02

Mental and Behavioral Health

Supporting school-based mental health grants, pediatric mental health access programs, suicide prevention, eating-disorder services, and behavioral health parity.

03

Firearm Injury Prevention Research

Advocating for sustained CDC, NIH, and federal justice research funding to guide evidence-based prevention of firearm injury and death among children and adolescents.

04

Medicaid and Access to Care

Elevating concerns about policies that could reduce Medicaid access, home- and community-based services, or care for children, families, and people with behavioral health needs.

05

Nursing Workforce and Research

Supporting Title VIII nursing workforce programs, the National Institute of Nursing Research, pediatric specialty workforce development, and safe health care workplaces.

06

Prevention and Public Health

Participating in national work related to immunization, tobacco prevention, nutrition, SNAP and school meals, environmental health, asthma, maternal-child health, and public health funding.

Make your voice count

Advocacy can begin with ten focused minutes

Elected officials need concise, credible information from the clinicians and families affected by policy decisions.

1

Check the current alert

Review the NAPNAP Advocacy Center and the official bill record before contacting a policymaker.

2

Personalize the message

Add one brief example from your practice, education, research, or community work.

3

Contact the right official

Write or call the legislator who represents your home or practice district and identify yourself as a constituent.

4

Stay engaged

Follow weekly policy updates, respond to chapter calls to action, and invite colleagues and families to participate.

Open the NAPNAP Advocacy Center Find a Michigan Representative

Advocacy resources

Stay informed between chapter updates

NAPNAP Advocacy Center Respond to active campaigns and send personalized messages to elected officials. Take action → Advocacy in Action Review NAPNAP coalition letters, sign-ons, policy comments, and national advocacy activity. View current activity → Health Policy Agenda Learn about the goals and strategies guiding NAPNAP’s child health and professional advocacy. Review the agenda → Advocacy Tools and Data Find testimony guidance, state data, Medicaid and CHIP resources, and other policy tools. Explore resources → Inside the Beltway Read NAPNAP’s federal policy analysis, including the June 2026 focus on firearm violence research. Read the update → Contact the Michigan Chapter Share a policy concern, legislative update, advocacy opportunity, or interest in joining chapter advocacy work. Email the chapter →

Bring your pediatric expertise to the policy conversation

Contact the Michigan Chapter to share an update, help review legislation, participate in advocacy activities, or contribute your practice perspective to a future call to action.

Email minapnapchapter@gmail.com