Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS commemorates 10 years of screening
newborns for critical congenital heart disease  

LANSING, Mich. – Since April 1, 2014, approximately 982,000 babies have been screened for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) Newborn Screening Program, allowing for timely treatment of a potentially fatal birth defect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CCHDs are one of the most significant causes of infant death in the United States.

Every Michigan newborn is screened shortly after birth for more than 50 different disorders through the state’s Newborn Screening Program. In addition to blood spot screening, additional tests for CCHD and a hearing screening are preformed prior to discharge. A simple non-invasive test, called pulse oximetry, measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and helps detect CCHD in newborns. CCHDs may require surgery or catheter intervention in the first year of life.

“Michigan’s newborn screening program is designed to quickly diagnose babies who may look healthy but have rare and often serious disorders that require early treatment,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Failure to detect these conditions can put a baby at risk for death or other serious complications within the first few days or weeks of life. Being able to identify conditions such as critical congenital heart disease allows for early interventions and healthier outcomes.”

As a result of screening, more than 30 babies have been diagnosed with a CCHD and more than 70 babies have been diagnosed with secondary conditions including hemoglobinopathy, hypothermia, infection, lung disease, noncritical congenital heart defect, persistent pulmonary hypertension and other hypoxemic conditions.

Congenital heart defects are the most common group of birth defects, affecting nearly 1% of births per year in the United States. About one in four babies have a critical congenital heart defect requiring immediate intervention.

For more information about CCHD, visit Michigan.gov/cchd.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program offered
to help retain, attract providers through student debt relief

Up to $300,000 available per award to repay educational debt

LANSING, Mich. – As part of the state’s effort to attract and retain talent and expand access to behavioral health services, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program. Previously known as the MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program, this program encourages behavioral health providers to offer their services within nonprofit outpatient organizations statewide.   

The program is available to behavioral health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists, case managers and certified behavioral analysts. Those eligible must provide in-person, outpatient behavioral health services through eligible nonprofit practice sites, including public school-based systems and community mental health organizations.  

“Under Governor Whitmer, MDHHS has prioritized expanding access to behavioral health services across Michigan,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are continuing to offer loan repayment programs to ensure providers have the supports they deserve, and families can receive services when and where they need them.” 

The loan repayment program is open to providers who serve both children and adults, but priority will be given to those who serve children. Eligible providers will be selected to enter into consecutive two-year agreements. The program will assist those selected with up to $300,000 to repay educational debt over a period of up to 10 years. A prioritization system will be used to rank applicants as follows: 

• Priority Group #1: Child providers in a Community Mental Health Authority setting.
• Priority Group #2: Child providers in a public school-based setting.
• Priority Group #3: Child providers in any nonprofit, eligible setting.
• Priority Group #4: Adult providers in a Community Mental Health Authority setting.
• Priority Group #5: Adult providers in any nonprofit, eligible setting.

Current behavioral health providers are encouraged to apply for the loan repayment program. The application period is April 29 through May 24. Further information regarding eligibility, selection criteria, application instructions and frequently asked questions can be found on the MDHHS website.  

Providers should note that guidelines, eligibility criteria and application instructions have changed for the 2024 application cycle. During previous grant cycles, MDHHS has enrolled around 500 providers and awarded $12.3 million in funding to eligible providers. Further information can be found on the program website. Providers who have questions or need more information can email MDHHS-Behavioral-Health-[email protected].