Health care providers, advocates urge Michigan congressional delegation to vote no on Medicaid cuts

BY JON KING, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—A coalition representing more than 150 Michigan-based health care providers, advocates, educators and community organizations urged Michigan’s congressional delegation Tuesday to vote against Medicaid cuts proposed by the US House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Protect MI Care Coalition—which includes the Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Michigan League for Public Policy—sent a letter to all 13 of Michigan’s members of Congress outlining their “deep opposition” to a spending plan as proposed by House Republicans. The proposal  would slash at least $880 billion over the next 10 years from the bill that covers energy and health care, including from Medicaid.

“These cuts would devastate Michigan’s health care system, put the lives and livelihoods of millions at risk, and reverse years of progress in improving health outcomes across our state,” the letter said.

“The proposal unveiled on May 11 would strip health care coverage from up to 512,000 Michiganders through punitive work requirements, restrict support for nursing homes and hospitals, and drain billions in federal funding from our state, especially in rural and underserved communities that already face barriers to care. Medicaid is not a luxury. It is a lifeline,” the coalition said.

Both US Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) sit on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which began debate on the budget plan Tuesday.

Dingell, in her opening statement, noted 2.6 million people get their health insurance through Medicaid in Michigan, representing approximately one in four Michiganders, two in five children, three in five nursing home residents, and three in eight working age adults with disabilities.

“To all my colleagues who say you’re cutting waste and fraud, Medicaid is 22%, more cost-effective than any private insurance plan. We have to protect…children and seniors and nursing homes and people with disabilities, and please don’t say you’re not going to hurt them, because many things in this bill are a backdoor way of doing so,” Dingell said.

James, who did not offer an opening statement, has stated in the past that Republicans are working to protect Medicaid from insolvency to “ensure those who’ve rightfully paid into their benefits & our most vulnerable can access these essential programs.”

Just prior to the committee hearing Tuesday, estimates were released from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office indicating that as written, the GOP bill would result in 7.6 million people going uninsured, while 10.3 million people would lose coverage under Medicaid’s health safety net program, a collaboration between Medicaid and various federal grant programs that support healthcare providers.

Among the changes Republicans are proposing are new Medicaid work requirements for some adults, seeking to penalize the dozen states that allow immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status in the program, and requiring states to more frequently check Medicaid enrollees’ eligibility.

READ MORE: Republican Medicaid cuts could shutter small-town hospitals across Michigan

This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.