Appropriations Requests for : Michigan Fitness Foundation

1. Cosponsoring legislators:

No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:

Michigan Fitness Foundation

3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:

2843 Eyde Parkway East Lansing, MI 48823

4. The recipient's employer identification number:

383172025

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:

$8,500,000.00

6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?

The Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) requests $8.5 million in the FY2027 budget. This critical funding will expand access to life-saving Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) interventional procedures for Michigan’s most underserved and Medicaid-dependent populations. In Michigan’s low-income and medically underserved communities, residents face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, often exacerbated by long-term tobacco use. Chronic smoking is a primary driver of PAD, a condition that reduces blood flow to the limbs and requires timely medical intervention to prevent severe complications, including amputation. Currently, a significant disparity exists in how these patients receive care: Access Barriers: While PAD procedures can be performed safely in outpatient settings, current Medicaid reimbursement rates do not cover the high cost of necessary specialized equipment and supplies. Systemic Inequity: Consequently, Medicaid patients are often diverted to higher-cost hospital settings or face long delays, while patients with commercial insurance or Medicare are prioritized in outpatient clinics. Financial Burden: Performing these same procedures in a hospital setting often comes at a much higher cost to the state than the proposed outpatient solution. In particular, Medicaid recipients who reside in Monroe County and Wayne County lack access to high quality PAD interventional services. MFF requests $8.5 million to construct a mobile outpatient laboratory, which will have hub locations in Monroe, MI and Dearborn, MI to serve Medicaid recipients with atherectomy and other interventional vascular services. In addition to these 2 hub locations, further expansion to other parts of Michigan are planned for future phases of the program as capacity and funding allows. The requested $8.5 million appropriation will address these barriers through two key mechanisms: 1.$6 Million for Gap Funding: Modeled after the existing MDHHS Public Entity Physician Payment Adjustment Program (PEPPAP), this funding will offset the reimbursement difference between Medicare and Medicaid, incentivizing physicians to treat Medicaid recipients in efficient outpatient settings. This funding will impact approximately 1000 Medicaid recipients in Phase 1 of the program. 2.$2.5 Million for Infrastructure: This portion will support the leasing of essential equipment, including a mobile outpatient laboratory, as well as the recruitment and upskilling of physicians, nurses, and paramedical professionals to expand service capacity. In addition, these funds will be used to educate the community on the available services and create partnerships with faith-based groups and other nonprofits.

7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?

No previous funding received

8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:

18 months from award

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?

Yes

4. Officers and active members on the board of directors:

Elizabeth Kutter, Chair Bethany Thayer, Vice Chair Brian McGrain, Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Dingell, Honorary Chair Maria Adams-Lawton Stacy Esbrook Marcus Jackson Vincent Kirkwood Brigette LaPointe Leanne Mauriello Megan Uphoff Lorraine Weatherspoon Mary Patay, Chair Joseph Dimambro Nichole Fisher Lashanda Jackson Linnell McKenney Anthony Moreno Ira Newble Danielle Plunkett Bryan Rief Bilal Saeed Barry Sanders Bethany Thayer Raul Velasco

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

• "I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
• "I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
• "I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator Joseph N Bellino Jr.