Lansing, Mich. – The Protect MI Care coalition today held a press conference at Care Free Medical to call on the Michigan Legislature to fully fund Medicaid in the state budget and protect the program from federal cuts that could strip coverage from hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. The event, held during Medicaid Awareness Month, brought together health care providers, policy researchers, workforce development leaders, and state officials to make the case that Medicaid is essential infrastructure, not a line item to be cut.
More than 2.5 million Michigan residents, including children, seniors, and working families, depend on Medicaid for their health coverage. Speakers warned that H.R. 1, passed by Congress, has slashed billions in federal Medicaid funding and called on the Legislature to find new dedicated funding to strengthen the program.
The Coalition is urging the Legislature to take three immediate steps: fully fund Medicaid in the current state budget, take action to protect Michigan from ongoing federal cuts, and establish dedicated, stable revenue sources for the program.
“A budget that shortchanges Medicaid is a budget that shortchanges Michigan families,” said Monique Stanton, president & CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “Medicaid cannot thrive on good intentions alone. It needs stable, predictable funding, and we need lawmakers to commit to that now.”
New research from the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) underscored Medicaid’s role in driving historic gains in health coverage across Michigan. According to a CHRT analysis of 16 years of data, Michigan’s uninsured rate fell from nearly 12% in 2008 to a record low of 5% in 2024, with Medicaid expansion as a primary driver. Among adults aged 19–64, the uninsured rate dropped from nearly 17% to 7.5% over the same period.
“The value of Medicaid in Michigan is measurable,” said Joshua Traylor, executive director of CHRT. “It has been a driving force behind the historic progress we’ve made in lowering our uninsured rate. With the implementation of H.R. 1, we are likely to see a dramatic increase in the number of people without health coverage in Michigan over the coming year.”
Speakers also highlighted Medicaid’s direct connection to Michigan’s workforce. Representatives from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Capital Area Michigan Works! described how health coverage enables workers to stay employed, transition between jobs, and remain part of the state’s economy. Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, concluded the event with a call to protect Medicaid statewide.
“Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable care when and where they need it and Medicaid has been proven to improve health outcomes and reduce poverty,” Hertel said. “The governor’s proposed budget ensures access to vital health care services for Michigan families while addressing funding gaps as a result of new federal requirements. We will continue to work with the legislature, State Budget Office and the governor on how we move forward in Michigan to help families get the health care they need.”
“At the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), we see every day that health and employment go hand in hand,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Senior Deputy Director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “You cannot fully participate in the workforce if you can’t take care of your health. We believe Medicaid is more than a health program — it’s a workforce development program. It supports workers and employers and strengthens Michigan’s economy.”
“We’ve protected Medicaid before. We’ve expanded it. We’ve defended it,” Stanton added. “And we’ll keep doing that work, in the Capitol, in communities, and in every moment that calls for it. More than two and a half million Michiganders are counting on lawmakers to get this right.”
