Licensure Updates
Licensure UpdateAs many of you know, we have made a number of positive steps in the legislative process in the last two months. On April 20, several MAGC members participated in our Lobby Day in Lansing and met with the majority of House and Senate Health Policy committee members and/or their staffs. We received overwhelmingly favorable responses to our requests for support. Thanks to all who made time in their busy schedule to come to Lansing that day – it was a huge success. We truly enjoyed meeting with our elected officials to educate them about what genetic counselors do and why licensure is important. As a result of our Lobby Day, the House Health Policy committee agreed to bring our bill forward and a hearing was held on May 18, 2010. Genetic Counselor Licensure ProgressFebruary 4, 2010 Dear Michigan Genetic Counselors:Last week we informed you that a bill that would require genetic counselors to be licensed in Michigan was introduced into the Michigan House of Representatives. We are delighted to inform you that the bill has also been introduced into the Michigan Senate by Senator Gilda Jacobs. We are again calling on you to help get this important legislation passed by contacting your Senator and Representative to asking him/her to support this bill. To facilitate your efforts, please use the template letter below, under "Supportive Documents". To look up both bills - Senate bill (SB 1099) and House bill (HB 5684), click here. It is especially imperative that we reach out to all members of the House and Senate Health Policy committees. The members of these committees are listed below. If one of your elected officials is a member of this committee, please mention their important role in consideration of this bill in your letter. Please copy me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on any email you send to your legislators so I can track who has been contacted. Please share this information with others who would be willing to send letters to legislators; the more requests received, the more likely legislators are to be interested in this legislation. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in our licensure efforts as well as those who are now motivated to help us achieve this very important goal. With less than 75 genetic counselors in the state of Michigan, we need EVERYONE’s help! Please contact me if you have any questions about this issue. Best regards,
Cheryl E. Harper, M.S., C.G.C. Chair, MAGC Professional Development Committee
Trudy McKanna, M.S., C.G.C. President, MAGC
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To find a genetic counselor in your area, use the National Society of Genetics Counselors "Find a Counselor" service by clicking here.
