What is the Healthy Michigan Plan? In 2013, biMpartisan leaders in Michigan’s Legislature worked together to expand insurance coverage in Michigan through the Healthy Michigan Plan. In December 2015, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services negotiated a second waiver to continue Medicaid coverage for 600,000 lowMincome adults. 

We like Healthy Michigan in part because it encourages accountability by requiring gradual progress toward buying private insurance or paying higher copays and contributing more to health savings accounts. We strongly support people becoming personally invested in their health. But it’s time for the impact of Healthy Michigan to be felt by more than just hospitals and insurance companies. We need to move into a phase where small businesses see genuine health insurance premium relief.

We believe it’s a poor business model to take a growing cost burden of people who come to the health care system without compensation and shift that cost to a smaller group of people – small business owners – who struggle to afford to pay for health insurance. Healthy Michigan can reduce that pilingMon effect, but only if hospitals and insurance companies are held accountable, too. The additional reimbursements that accrue to hospitals need to be reflected in price negotiations with insurance companies, who in turn have a responsibility to pass along cost savings to their small business customers. 

We need to protect the health of Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens, and its small businesses. Healthy Michigan lets us do both. In this segment hear a discussion all about the Healthy Michigan Plan, as Chris welcomes Rob Fowler, President and CEO, Small Business Association of Michigan into the studio.