LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 17, 2025) — Yesterday,the Michigan Senate passed legislation championed by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) to help ensure Michiganders who are living with a serious illness can access the proper care they need and deserve. Passed with bipartisan support, Senate Bill 483 would establish a 13-member advisory task force within the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to research, collaborate, and make recommendations on several aspects of palliative care in Michigan.
“Palliative care is about restoring dignity, comfort, and peace,” said Sen. Bayer. “Too often, seriously ill people spend long stretches of their life in pain, confusion, isolation — but it doesn’t have to be that way. Through the guidance of palliative care experts, we can help ensure Michiganders receive the care and compassion they need and deserve and gain control over their lives again.”
This legislation is critical to advancing high-quality, accessible palliative care services across the state, helping those with serious illnesses manage their symptoms and get support tailored to their specific needs. Composed of clinical experts in palliative care, patient representatives, insurers, and leaders in relevant fields, the Palliative Care Advisory Task Force would be charged with defining palliative care, undertaking research for continuous improvement, and developing measurable strategies to expand palliative care access and reimbursement models. It would also make recommendations to MDHHS and the legislature for recommended improvements and public education on palliative care to help Michiganders make informed health care decisions.
This legislation now heads to the House for consideration.