The Arc Michigan supports the goals of the PIHP procurement process to:
- Provide quality and timely mental health services:
- Make sure people can get services quickly by having enough providers available.
- Offer high-quality services to address the full range of supports and care needs.
- Give people more choices and fairness across areas:
- Increase providers to give people more choice.
- Make sure services are consistent and available throughout Michigan.
- Make the system clear and responsible:
- Increase responsibility and openness by checking results carefully and being transparent with findings.
- Fix conflicts caused by mental health agencies acting as the service funder and provider.
- Make the system simpler and more focused on providing quality services:
- Reduce bureaucracy and make things easier for both providers and people getting care. [i]
We believe the redesigned behavioral health system must include:
- A person-centered planning process for everyone getting services to decide what support they need.
- People should have greater ability to direct their own services.
- There should be an independent recipient rights system that is fair and works quickly.
- The system should stay public. Private companies don’t have experience with non-medical supports that people with developmental disabilities need and answer only to their shareholders.
- A conflict-free system must be in place, so agencies involved in planning don’t provide direct services.
- Direct Care Workers should get fair wages that increase with the cost of living.
- Contracts that are enforced with penalties when needed.
- The system must follow the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act to make sure information is available to all.
[i] 2025 State of Michigan PIHP Procurement – Schedule A – Statement of Work MDHHS seeking proposals to improve specialty behavioral health care for Medicaid beneficiaries RFP 250000002670 – Amendment 5