The practice of health care professionals impaired by alcohol or other substance abuse is an often hidden, but continuing problem. Established by law in 1994, the Michigan Health Professional Recovery Program (MHPRP) provides a new approach to treating impaired health professionals. It is unique nationally, both in its umbrella approach to most health professional licensees in the State of Michigan, and in the arrangement by which the program is run through a private contract, awarded after bidding, to five of the state's professional organizations. The arrangement maintains separation from the established professional regulatory/licensing boards unless a licensee is non-compliant. MHPRP operates under specific policies, procedures, guidelines, and criteria established by the Health Professional Recovery Committee which includes a member appointed by each health care licensing board plus two public members. As of June 30, 2000 over 1600 health care professionals in Michigan had been included in the program.