Date: June 10, 2025
To: House Health Policy Committee
From: Leah Vukmir, Senior Vice President of State Affairs
Re: Support for HB 4558 - Telemedicine Eye Examination
Chairman VanderWall, Majority Vice Chair Thompson, and Distinguished Members of the House Health Policy Committee:
I write to you today in my capacity as Senior Vice President of State Affairs for National Taxpayers Union (NTU)—the nation’s oldest non-partisan taxpayer advocacy organization. NTU is dedicated to the principle that citizens, not governments, are best equipped to make decisions about their own money. For decades, we have championed policies that lower taxes, streamline government, and advance free-market solutions. HB 4558 aligns closely with these priorities, and I urge you to support this critical legislation.
I also bring to this discussion the perspective of a registered nurse and former Wisconsin state senator. Were I still serving in my home state’s legislature, I would wholeheartedly back this thoughtful and well-crafted telemedicine proposal. The bill strikes a responsible balance between innovation and patient protection, promising to enhance healthcare access and affordability across Michigan.
HB 4558 reinforces Michigan’s leadership in telemedicine. The bill ensures high standards for patient safety—an issue of personal and professional concern to me—and will allow more residents to receive timely care. Importantly, it also delivers substantial cost savings: while an in-person prescription renewal can cost upwards of $200, a comparable online screening averages just $20. That difference empowers consumers to retain more of their hard-earned income and redirect resources toward other family needs.
Patients in rural and underserved areas stand to benefit even more, as they often avoid the significant time and travel costs associated with accessing care. Additionally, this policy could yield significant fiscal savings for the state. For example, government employees enrolled in state-funded health plans could reduce healthcare expenditures through increased access to virtual services. As Michigan, like many states, faces budgetary pressures, HB 4558 offers a fiscally responsible solution.
Health and wellness cannot, and should not, be boiled down solely to dollars and cents. Still, the efficient allocation of resources is a crucial element in any public debate. HB 4558 supports patient autonomy and provides Michiganders with the freedom to choose the care that best meets their individual needs.
Thank you for your time, attention, and continued service to your state. Please support HB 4558.
Leah Vukmir
Senior Vice President of State Affairs