A broad coalition of more than 150 Michigan health care providers, advocates, educators, and community organizations is urging the state’s congressional delegation to reject proposed Medicaid cuts currently under debate in Washington.
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 Tuesday to all 13 members of Michigan’s congressional delegation. The group expressed strong opposition to a Republican-led proposal from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee that would cut at least $880 billion from the federal budget over the next decade, including significant reductions to Medicaid funding.
“These cuts would devastate Michigan’s health care system, put lives at risk, and undo years of progress in improving health outcomes,” the coalition wrote.
The proposal, introduced on May 11, includes measures that could strip Medicaid coverage from up to 512,000 Michiganders by imposing work requirements. It would also reduce funding for hospitals and nursing homes and remove billions of dollars in federal support, with rural and underserved areas hit hardest, the coalition said.
“Medicaid is not a luxury. It is a lifeline,” the group emphasized.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee began debate on the plan Tuesday. Two Michigan lawmakers—U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township)—sit on the committee.
In her opening remarks, Dingell stressed that 2.6 million Michiganders rely on Medicaid for health insurance. That includes one in four residents, two in five children, three in five nursing home residents, and three in eight working-age adults with disabilities.
“To those claiming this is about cutting waste and fraud, Medicaid is already 22% more cost-effective than private insurance,” Dingell said. “This bill hurts the very people it claims to protect—children, seniors, nursing home residents, and people with disabilities.”
Rep. James did not make an opening statement during the hearing. However, he has previously stated that Republicans aim to protect Medicaid from insolvency to ensure benefits remain available for the most vulnerable.
Ahead of the hearing, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis warning that the bill could result in 7.6 million people losing their health insurance. An estimated 10.3 million people could lose coverage under Medicaid’s safety net, which also includes support from various federal health care grant programs.
Key elements of the proposal include new work requirements for certain adults, penalties for states that allow undocumented immigrants to access Medicaid, and more frequent eligibility checks for current enrollees.
