The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
The budget reconciliation bill passed by Congress is disastrous for access to care for Michiganders and the healthcare providers who care for them.
Cuts to funding are cuts to care. Limiting how states can fund their Medicaid programs puts Michigan in an extremely difficult position. If the state can no longer provide the same reimbursement, hospitals will be faced with difficult choices that will include eliminating service lines or even entire facilities. The added bureaucratic requirements for Michiganders to maintain their health insurance will also take away health insurance benefits from our neighbors, friends and family, resulting in increased uncompensated care for healthcare providers. In total, this bill will cost Michigan hospitals more than $6 billion in total Medicaid funding over the next ten years.
This bill is an attack on Medicaid, expanded health insurance coverage and healthcare access. We are extremely disappointed with the actions taken by Congress. Today is an extremely large step backwards for making and keeping our communities healthier.