Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2024

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

New drug showing up in illicit drug supply,
resulting in overdose deaths across Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is warning Michigan residents about medetomidine, a new drug identified in overdose deaths.  

Medetomidine is a veterinary tranquilizer, similar to xylazine, that can cause adverse effects including slowed heart rate, low blood pressure and decreases in brain and spinal cord activity. It is not approved for use in people. 

According to data provided by the Swift Toxicology of Opioid Related Mortalities (STORM) project at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, since March, three overdose deaths have identified medetomidine during postmortem toxicology testing. The deaths occurred in Ingham, Berrien and Wayne counties. In addition to medetomidine, testing also identified fentanyl and other potent manufactured drugs. 

MDHHS is particularly concerned about this drug for the following reasons: 

• Medetomidine can cause central nervous system depression and death.
• Like xylazine, medetomidine is not reversed by medications such as naloxone or Narcan.
• Unlike xylazine, testing strips are not yet available to detect this particular drug.

“Medetomidine is considered more potent than xylazine and we want to make sure Michigan residents are aware of this new and dangerous drug showing up in overdose deaths in our state,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Even though naloxone doesn’t directly reverse the effects of medetomidine or xylazine, these tranquilizers are usually found in combination with opioid drugs like fentanyl, that can be reversed. For this reason, we continue to urge individuals who use drugs and their loved ones to carry naloxone to prevent overdose.” 

MDHHS is urging local substance use disorder organizations, health care providers and harm reduction agencies to take the following actions: 

• Raise awareness and promote harm reduction practices – medetomidine like xylazine may be increasingly found in the illicit drug supply. Layer harm reduction strategies to lessen the risk of overdose: take it slow, use less, carry naloxone, do not use alone, monitor breathing, etc. 
• As with xylazine, give rescue breaths in case of respiratory depression.
  • “To give rescue breaths to adults, make sure the person’s airway is clear; place one hand on the person’s chin, tilt the head back, and pinch the nose closed. Place your mouth over the person’s mouth to make a seal and give two slow breaths. Watch for the person’s chest (but not the stomach) to rise and follow up with one breath every 5 seconds” (What You Should Know About Xylazine | Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center).
• Distribute naloxone as well as fentanyl and xylazine test strips – Organizations can request free naloxone from MDHHS to increase capacity. Connect individuals with more ways to access naloxone: order online at nextdistro.org/Michigan and have it delivered at no cost; get it at a pharmacy (Naloxone Standing Order, no prescription required); or contact a Syringe Service Program for naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, sterile needles, testing for HIV and Hepatitis C and other life-saving resources.  
• Explore the Substance Use Vulnerability Index on the MDHHS dashboard to start conversations around gaps and barriers that may exist in your community.  

MDHHS will continue monitoring STORM and other rapid data sources and will share information as it becomes available. Agencies aware of any medetomidine-involved overdoses or exposures since January 2024 are asked to share this information at MDHHS-MODASurveillance@Michigan.gov. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2024

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-2412-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS seeking proposals to improve integrated care
for beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is seeking proposals to transition the MI Health Link demonstration program into a permanent Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, a specific type of Medicare Advantage plan designed to meet the needs of those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

In 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it was partnering with Michigan to test a new model for providing individuals who have both Medicare and Medicaid with a more coordinated, person-centered care experience. In May 2022, CMS finalized requirements for the state to transition its model program into a permanent integrated plan.

“This proposal has been developed with robust feedback from community providers and beneficiaries along with lessons learned from the MI Health Link program,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “MDHHS remains committed to an improved care experience for low-income seniors and people with disabilities who are both Medicare and Medicaid enrollees.”

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) is managing the request for proposal (RFP) process on behalf of MDHHS. The Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans RFP is posted on SIGMA Vendor-Self Service system online. To bid on proposals, all vendors must first be registered with SIGMA Vendor Self-Service. Registration is free, and information on how to register and obtain an account to bid on open solicitations is available online: DTMB – How to Register as a Vendor.

Proposals should focus on the following pillars:

• Fostering integration and continuity of care.
• Reducing racial disparities.
• Improving care delivery.
• Promoting patient autonomy and choice of health care and services.
• Building a culture of quality.

Interested bidders are encouraged to refer to the proposal instructions for additional information regarding questions, submittal, and deadlines. Responses from bidders are due Thursday, Aug. 1. Bidders may submit written questions about the RFP through the SIGMA system by Thursday, June 20. MDHHS will post answers to bidder questions on the system by Friday, June 28.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2024

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

MDHHS approves eight PIHPs to expand substance
use treatment with Recovery Incentives Pilot
Program supported through opioid settlement dollars

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved eight pre-paid inpatient health plans (PIHPs) to participate in the Recovery Incentives Pilot. This pilot, supported by $6 million in opioid settlement funds over the next three years, will expand access to evidence-based treatment for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees who are living with certain substance use disorders (SUDs).  

MDHHS, participating PIHPs and providers will collaborate to deliver an evidence-based treatment that provides motivational incentives, such as gift cards, to people living with an SUD who achieve their treatment goals. Medicaid beneficiaries with a diagnosis of stimulant use disorder, opioid use disorder, or both, will be eligible to participate in the pilot.  

“This marks a significant milestone in our goal to make available an effective and evidence-based treatment option for beneficiaries living with substance use disorders,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are excited to work with our PIHP partners who will play a key role in the pilot, including establishing and overseeing a network of providers who will administer this program.” 

By establishing this program as a covered benefit on a pilot basis for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees, MDHHS believes it can improve outcomes and support individuals in making behavior changes that drive recovery. The Recovery Incentives Pilot is one of several projects addressing SUD needs through opioid settlement dollars. 

Michigan is slated to receive nearly $1.6 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040, with half being distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and the other half being distributed directly to county, city and township governments. 

“By providing immediate rewards to individuals who meet their treatment goals, this pilot helps tip decision-making toward abstinence,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive and Michigan Opioids Task Force co-chair. “These incentives include gift cards to purchase certain items, such as food and gas, and will increase each week a participant does not use stimulants or opioids.” 

MDHHS is offering the pilot for two years beginning Oct. 1. PIHPs will establish and oversee a network of providers to deliver the Recovery Incentives Pilot within their region and be responsible for administration and oversight activities including reporting, monitoring and quality improvement. Participating PIHPs were selected based on responses to a non-competitive request for applications. 

The list of PIHPs participating in the Recovery Incentives Pilot are as follows:  

• NorthCare Network, Region 1 
• Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, Region 4
• Mid-State Health Network, Region 5
• Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan, Region 6
• Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Region 7
• Oakland Community Health Network, Region 8
• Macomb County Community Mental Health, Region 9
• Region 10 PIHP, Region 10 

“The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network is thrilled to participate in the Recovery Incentives Pilot to provide this treatment option across our provider network to meet the needs of Medicaid beneficiaries,” said Eric Doeh, president and CEO of DWIHN. “Expanding availability and use of recovery incentives aligns with DWIHN’s vision and long history of delivering evidence-based substance use disorder services that make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. We look forward to implementing the pilot and continuing to serve the people of Michigan.”  

“Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health is proud to partner with MDHHS to expand access to effective treatment options for people living with substance use disorders,” said Bradley Casemore, CEO, SWMBH. “We look forward to implementing the pilot and improving access to treatment backed by decades of research to support individuals in southwest Michigan communities in their recovery.”  

Visit the RI Pilot website for more information. For questions regarding the pilot, contact MDHHS-RecoveryIncentives@michigan.gov. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2024

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

MDHHS provides $5 million to 12 universities to increase
number of master’s degree behavioral health social workers

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has provided $5 million to 12 Michigan universities to provide $30,000 stipends to students seeking to obtain a master’s degree in social work and who commit to working in behavioral health in the state upon graduation.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) to Master of Social Work (MSW) Program seeks to increase the number of master’s degree level social workers in the behavioral health workforce throughout the state. The program provides one-time, $30,000 stipends to bachelor’s level social workers who agree to enter a full-time advanced standing MSW program and provide at least two years of full-time employment in public sector behavioral health in Michigan.

“This program is another investment by the state to increase access to behavioral health care for Michigan families,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are committed to helping families access behavioral health care services when and where they need them. We anticipate up to 150 students will be able to obtain their master’s degree in social work through this program.”

Award amounts were calculated based on average number of students in the advanced standing MSW program, average student loan debt and demographic diversity. The following Michigan universities received funding:

• Andrews University – $208,236
• Eastern Michigan University – $371,976
• Ferris State University – $167,169
• Grand Valley State University – $384,339
• Madonna University – $314,824
• Michigan State University – $498,358
• Northern Michigan University – $90,578
• Oakland University – $409,741
• Saginaw Valley State University – $188,063
• Spring Arbor University – $511,468
• University of Michigan – $853,394
• Wayne State University – $1,001,848

Participating universities will now work to contract eligible students into the program to begin working toward their MSW degree. Students are required to enroll in a full-time advanced standing MSW program. The length of the program can vary from university to university; however, it is generally three semesters, or one year.

For additional information, email Jilliann Betzer at [email protected].

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2024

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

Residents urged to protect against mosquito bites
as first mosquito-borne virus of 2024 detected in Saginaw County

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan residents are being urged to take precautions against mosquito bites as mosquitos collected in Saginaw County on Wednesday, May 22, have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL). These are the first infected mosquitos detected for 2024.

Residents are reminded that the best way to protect themselves against JCV and other mosquito-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV), is to prevent mosquito bites.

“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitos are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.”

Every summer in Michigan, bites from mosquitos carry the risk of spreading diseases to people and animals. This year’s warm, wet spring has produced a variety of biting mosquitoes. The majority are mosquitos that hatched in early May and are currently active in tracts of woodland habitat. Some of these spring mosquitos are capable of transmitting JCV. JCV sickened six Michiganders in 2021, one in 2022 and four in 2023. Also reported last year were 21 cases of WNV.

JCV is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitos. Most cases occur from late spring through mid-fall. Illness can develop within a few days to two weeks following a bite from an infected mosquito. While most people do not become ill, initial symptoms can include fever, headache and fatigue. In rare cases, it can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.

While the JCV is found throughout much of the United States, cases have been increasing in the Midwest. This likely reflects increased awareness and testing but may also be due to an increase in the presence of the virus in the environment. This is the fourth year that the MDHHS BOL is offering virus testing of mosquitos collected by local health departments and county mosquito control programs. Testing is offered to improve detection and notification of mosquito-borne viruses.

JCV can be spread by mosquitos that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitos spread the virus to other animals or people through bites. Arboviruses, including WNV and EEE, spread when mosquitos contract the virus from biting infected birds then biting a human.

Residents can stay healthy by using simple, effective strategies to protect themselves and their families. The following steps are recommended to avoid mosquito-borne diseases:

• Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitos outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires and other water-holding containers where mosquitos can lay eggs.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Additional influenza A (H5) case detected in Michigan
Risk to general public remains low

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is announcing an additional case of influenza A (H5) in a Michigan farmworker, who worked closely with influenza A (H5) positive cows. This worker was employed at a different farm than the case announced on May 22. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to highlight that the risk to the public remains low; this farm worker was quickly provided antivirals and is recovering from respiratory symptoms.

This virus has been associated with the ongoing multistate outbreak of influenza A (H5N1). As part of the ongoing response, state and local public health are closely monitoring for potential human cases, which can occur sporadically in individuals with close contact to infected animals. It is not unexpected that comprehensive testing is identifying sporadic human infections in farm workers.

“Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan. Farmworkers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With the first case in Michigan, eye symptoms occurred after a direct splash of infected milk to the eye. With this case, respiratory symptoms occurred after direct exposure to an infected cow. Neither individual was wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE). This tells us that direct exposure to infected livestock poses a risk to humans, and that PPE is an important tool in preventing spread among individuals who work on dairy and poultry farms. We have not seen signs of sustained human-to-human transmission, and the current health risk to the general public remains low.”

“In Michigan, we continue to respond to influenza A (H5N1) with a one-health approach, working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to address human and animal health,” said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring. “Proper use of personal protective equipment is the best tool we have to protect farm workers. MDARD is currently offering assistance to dairy farms in need of additional protective equipment. MDARD has and will continue to take bold actions to assist farms impacted by this disease.”

MDHHS recommends seasonal flu vaccination for people working on poultry or dairy farms. It will not prevent infection with avian influenza viruses, but it can reduce the risk of coinfection with avian and flu viruses.

MDHHS will be posting additional case identifications at Michigan.gov/influenzaA.