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Gov. Whitmer warns that millions in Michigan could lose health care under GOP Medicaid cuts federal budget proposal targeting funding.
Whitmer: Medicaid Cuts Would Devastate Michigan’s Most Vulnerable
As Congress begins considering a Republican-led proposal to significantly reduce Medicaid funding, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is sounding the alarm about what she calls a disastrous plan that will undermine health care access across Michigan—especially for seniors, pregnant women, rural communities, and people with disabilities.
In a statement released from Lansing, Whitmer strongly criticized the proposal now under review in the U.S. House, warning it would not only strip away coverage for millions nationally, but also gut funding for services that 2.6 million Michiganders depend on.
GOP Medicaid Cuts Impact on Michigan Seniors and Nursing Homes Would Be Immediate
According to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), 168,000 Michigan seniors are currently covered by Medicaid, with three in five nursing home residents relying on the program. Medicaid contributes more than $3 billion annually to Michigan’s long-term care facilities.
Under the proposed cuts, Whitmer warned that this funding would be severely reduced, jeopardizing essential care for older adults. “Seniors will have to go without care and get sicker for no reason,” Whitmer stated.
Prenatal and Maternity Care for Pregnant Women at Risk
Medicaid currently covers 45% of all births in Michigan, and that figure climbs to 60% in rural areas. MDHHS reports that hospitals in these communities may be forced to reduce or eliminate obstetric services due to lack of funding.
Whitmer emphasized that if enacted, the cuts could make it harder for pregnant women to access routine checkups, screenings, and counseling—services necessary to reduce maternal mortality. “Expecting mothers will be put in danger,” she said, warning of increased complications and preventable deaths.
Michigan’s Disability Services Face Massive Threats
Roughly 300,000 people with disabilities in Michigan rely on Medicaid for in-home care, prescriptions, and mobility services. The state receives over $1.5 billion annually to fund Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)—an area Whitmer says would be gutted by the Republican plan. Under the plan, up to 512,000 adults in Michigan could lose coverage due to new, punitive work requirements.
These GOP Medicaid cuts, the governor stated, would hit those who rely on help with transportation, meal services, and personal care, and could push many into institutional settings unnecessarily.
This latest development arrives at a crucial moment when residents of Michigan have unequivocally expressed their opposition to Medicaid cuts. Recent statewide polling results indicate that 83% of Michigan voters, regardless of political affiliation, favor either increasing or maintaining current Medicaid spending.
“More than 2.6 million Michiganders—1 in 4 people in our state—rely on Medicaid for vital care. This includes nearly 1 million children, 3 in 5 nursing home residents, and thousands of working adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities who count on Medicaid not just to survive, but to live and work with dignity. These cuts would push families off coverage, overwhelm hospitals with uncompensated care, and deepen workforce shortages in essential health care services.” noted Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that 82% of Michiganders reject the notion of diverting Medicaid funds to finance tax reductions, while 80% affirm the importance of Medicaid within their communities.
Red Tape and Bureaucracy Could Compound the Crisis
Whitmer also criticized the proposal’s reliance on increased paperwork and bureaucratic oversight. “The proposal adds a ton of red tape that will kick people off their coverage,” she warned, pointing out that administrative costs will rise while coverage will shrink.
According to the governor, this could place an even greater strain on health care providers and local governments already struggling to meet demand.
Economic Fallout Could Be Severe Across Michigan’s Health Sector
The Medicaid program supports a health care industry in Michigan with a $77 billion annual economic footprint—larger than any other industry in the state. Whitmer emphasized that Medicaid expansion alone helped create over 30,000 new jobs, contributing roughly $2.3 billion in personal income and generating $150 million in tax revenue per year.
Should these federal cuts proceed, MDHHS estimates that Michigan hospitals could lose over $500 million annually, potentially forcing the closure of smaller facilities and triggering job losses in both urban and rural communities.
Rural Hospitals, Already Fragile, Could Collapse
Rural hospitals in Michigan—many of which are already financially strained—are among the most vulnerable. In states where similar rollbacks have occurred, hospitals have shuttered labor and delivery departments or closed entirely.
Whitmer stressed that this is not just a health crisis, but a threat to Michigan’s future. “This could drive Michiganders out of our state, reducing our population growth and crippling our economy.”
Governor Calls on Congressional Delegation to Reject Medicaid Cuts
Whitmer is urging Michigan’s Republican congressional delegation to break ranks and vote against the proposed budget. “I’m calling on Republicans… to consider the disastrous impacts of this budget on their fellow Michiganders and vote no.”
At this time, no Republican members of Michigan’s congressional delegation have issued public statements responding to the governor’s remarks.
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