Supporting Medicaid Expansinon

This column in the Grand Rapids Press seems to show more and more people are supporting Medicaid expansion, the Governor, businesses, and providers. What’s wrong with the Legislature?

[The below article was taken from mLive. Read the original here]

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WEST MICHIGAN HOSPITAL CEOS: MEDICAID EXPANSION WOULD HELP PEOPLE, ECONOMY (GUEST COLUMN)

Richard C. Breon is president and CEO of Spectrum Health System and Roger Spoelman is president and CEO of Mercy Health, Trinity Health West Michigan.


By Richard C. Breon and Roger Spoelman

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — As the CEOs of two major health systems in Michigan, we support Gov. Snyder’s Healthy Michigan Plan that strives to improve and strengthen our state’s Medicaid program and offer health insurance to low-income working adults.

Failing to accept federal support to provide health insurance to an estimated 450,000 working Michigan adults – including many veterans – will have serious consequences to our local economy.

Michigan will forgo about $2.1 billion in economic activity and an estimated 18,000 new jobs generated by the additional federal dollars coming into the state’s health care system.

Business leaders across Michigan -- including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Association of Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber – are quick to point out that Medicaid reform can help slow increasing health insurance premiums paid by Michigan employers by reducing uncompensated care in Michigan hospitals.

According to some estimates, this cost-shift has imposed a hidden tax of about $1,000 per family through higher health insurance premiums.

Some have suggested that the state cannot afford to enhance Medicaid. Yet this argument is not supported by several reports that conclude with matching federal dollars, the curbing of cost-shifting, and the resulting healthier workforce, Michigan actually saves money by strengthening Medicaid. Adopting the Governor’s plan would also address untreated health issues of the currently uninsured, putting patients and their families on a healthier course.

Today’s Medicaid program is not perfect. The historical challenges relative to health care provider reimbursement and primary care access will not evaporate overnight.

However, by embracing the opportunity to enhance Michigan's Medicaid program, we can improve health outcomes and program sustainability while creating efficiencies that will enable us to cover more of our citizens.

Our hospitals and clinical staff have a long history of treating the uninsured and underinsured in West Michigan. While not the easy thing to do, it is the right thing to do.

But we cannot solve the problems of the uninsured and underinsured on our own. Legislators have a unique opportunity to provide additional access to health care services for these vulnerable populations, relieve our businesses of some of the burden of cost-shifting, create new jobs and save our state precious tax dollars.

To those who argue we cannot afford to support Gov. Snyder’s plan, we say: We cannot afford not to support it.

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We Have to Build a Movement — Take Action Now!

I was surprised and gratified by the response to my last blog on the comments I made at the Michigan Rebuilding Communities Conference. One reader asked me to share “what is happening right now as well as your top three courses of action.” Some suggested we needed to prioritize the issues. Still other comments centered on needing to know “where or how can we find the background that we need to best prepare ourselves before we pick up a phone or pen”. 

I am very glad to have all your support and in the upcoming weeks (and months) will try to address these questions. But as with everything political, timing is everything. Today, we need to work on expanding Medicaid. Last Monday, May 6, MLive ran an article on the Michigan state budget process and Medicaid Expansion, and we must act. The Governor has proposed to accept and appropriate federal funds to expand Medicaid. The State House has advanced a budget bill without funds for expansion. The Senate is still considering the question. If the Senate includes funding, there will be debate between the two Chambers in coming weeks. The federal government covers ALL the costs of Medicaid expansion through 2016 before gradually reducing funding to 90% in 2020. Governor Snyder expects general fund savings through 2020 and has proposed an innovative health savings fund to mitigate FEARS over future costs. The expansion will actually save the state $206 million in general fund spending for 3 years. 400,000 hard working, low income adults, children, and people with disabilities will gain access to health care. It is a true win, win situation. 

WE MUST CALL AND WRITE OUR STATE SENATORS NOW!!!!! 

 Senate leadership is: 
– Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville: 517- 373-3543 senrichardville@senate.michigan.gov 
– Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn: 517- 373-1760 senrkahn@senate.michigan.gov 
– Senate Appropriations Community Health Subcommittee Chair
John Moolenaar: 517- 373-7946 senjmoolenaar@senate.michigan.gov 

 In Kent County Call: 
– Senators Mark Jansen (866-305-2128) senmjansen@senate.michigan.gov 
– Dave Hildenbrand (866-305-2129) sendhildenbrand@senate.michigan.gov 

Others call your elected Senator. Then call your State Representative and tell them how important expanding Medicaid is. And don’t hesitate to write a letter. Letters are very influential. Time is running short. 

Here are some talking points to make your work easier. More information can be found at http://consumersforhealthcare.org/. You can also contact me at frank@organizegr.com.

Important Medicaid Contacts

As a follow-up to my most recent posting on Medicaid expansion, I am posting this targeted list of House Members to help make contacting them easier. If you live in one of these districts it is especially important that you contact your elected official.

This information is provided by Michigan Consumers for Healthcare. You can email them or call (517) 487-5436 with questions.

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TARGETING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MICHIGAN HOUSE MEMBERS STRENGTHENING MEDICAID 

Michigan Consumers for Healthcare, in their continuous efforts to ensure that consumers in Michigan have access to quality and affordable health care, is making recommendations to Coalition partners in regards to prioritizing advocacy efforts in the Michigan House related to strengthening and expanding Medicaid coverage for the uninsured. The first list is of lawmakers who MCH believes have the potential to support the Governor’s position on Medicaid expansion. The second list is of additional termed out lawmakers who may vote with us on strengthening Medicaid under certain circumstances and therefore warrant continued communication. 

District 24 - Anthony Forline (R) – Macomb- S.E. Shoreline
(517) 373-0113 | AnthonyForlini@house.mi.gov 

District 32 – Andrea LaFontaine (R) – N.E Macomb/ Center St. Clair
(517) 373-8931 | AndreaLaFontaine@house.mi.gov 

District 40 – Michael McCready (R) – S.E. Oakland
(517) 373-8670 | MikeMcCready@house.mi.gov  

District 41 – Martin Howrlak (R) – S.E Oakland
(517) 373-1783 | MartinHowrylak@house.mi.gov 

District 46 - Bradford Jacobsen (R) - North Oakland
(517) 373-1798 | BradJacobsen@house.mi.gov 

District 61 – Margaret O'Brien (R) – Western Kalamazoo
(517) 373-1774 | MargaretOBrien@house.mi.gov 

District 70 – Rick Outman (R) – Montcalm/N/E. Ionia 
(517) 373-0834 | RickOutman@house.mi.gov 

District 72 – Ken Yonker (R) – S. Center Kent
(517) 373-8040 | KenYonker@house.mi.go 

District 74 – Rob VerHeulen (R) – N.E. Ottawa
(517) 373-8900 | RobVerHeulen@house.mi.gov 

District 88 – Roger Victory (R) – Allegan
(517) 373-1830 | RobVerHeulen@house.mi.gov

District 97 – Joel Johnson (R) – Gladwin
(517) 373-8962 | JoelJohnson@house.mi.gov 

PRIMARY TARGETS 

District 19 – John Walsh (R) – N. Wayne
(517) 373-3920 | JohnWalsh@house.mi.gov

District 43 – Gail Haines (R) – Central Oakland
(517) 373-0615 | GailHaines@house.mi.gov 

District 59 – Matt Lori (R) – St. Joseph/Cass
(517) 373-0832 | MattLori@house.mi.gov

District 104 – Wayne Schmidt (R) – Kalkaska/Grand Traverse
(517) 373-1766 | WayneSchmidt@house.mi.gov 

The list below is comprised of House of Representative Republican members who are within their third and final term and would be considered a point of interest. These representatives are equally important to contact. 

SECONDARY TARGETS 

District 38 – Hugh D. Crawford (R) – S.E Oakland
(517) 373-0827 | HughCrawford@house.mi.gov 

District 42 – Bill Rogers (R) – S. Macomb
(517) 373-1784 | BillRogers@house.mi.gov

District 44 – Eileen Kowall (R) – West Oakland
(517) 373-2616 | EileenKowall@house.mi.gov 

District 45 – Tom McMillin (R) – East Oakland
(517) 373-1773 | TomMcMillin@house.mi.gov 

District 47 – Cindy Denby (R) – Outer Livingston
(517) 373-8835 | CindyDenby@house.mi.gov 

District 58 – Kenneth Kurtz (R) – Hillsdale/Branch
(517) 373-1794 | KennethKurtz@house.mi.gov 

District 63 – Jase Bolger (R) – Kalamazoo/Calhoun
(517) 373-1787 | JaseBolger@house.mi.gov 

District 80 – Bob Genetski (R) – Vna Buren
(517) 373-0836 | BobGenetski@house.mi.gov

District 82 – Kevin Daley (R) – Lapeer
(517) 373-1800 | KevinDaley@house.mi.gov 

District 90 – Joe Haveman (R) – S. Ottawa
(517) 373-0830 | JosephHaveman@house.mi.gov 

District 98 – Jim Stamas (R) – W. Saginaw/S.E Midland
(517) 373-1791 | JimStamas@house.mi.gov 

The district map outlines each district so you will have a better understanding of the district borders. Please feel free to contact your local regional coordinator if you have any questions. 

• Eli Isaguirre – Western Michigan Coordinator
  Cell: 810-516-5260
   Email: Eli@consumersforhealthcare.org  
• Brett Williams – Central Michigan Coordinator
  Cell: 517-230-3717
  Email: Brett@consumersforhealthcare.org 
• Steven Hernandez – Southeast Michigan Coordinator
  Cell: 734-612-8795
  Email: Steven@consumersforhealthcare.org 
• Ryan Sullivan – Flint/Saginaw Area Coordinator
  Cell: 989-780-3093
  Email: Ryan@consumersforhealthcare.org 

Billion Dollar Giveway

The Michigan State Legislature is about to walk away from $600 million in savings over the next three years and health care access for 400,000 hard working, low income adults, children, and people with disabilities. Michigan hospitals will lose almost $85 million in payments for uncompensated care. Michigan will become a “donor state” by sending Michigan tax dollars to other states like Texas, California and Florida. We will lose precious Graduate Medical Education funding that would help keep doctors practicing in this state. 

Michigan could receive all these benefits and it wouldn’t cost a dime; in fact, the state would save over $1 billion dollars over the next ten years (House Fiscal Office). All the Legislature needs to do is expand Medicaid. The Michigan Hospital Association supports the idea. Governor Snyder supports the idea. He has included Medicaid expansion in his budget. Conservative governors from such states as Florida and Arizona have supported the idea. Really, this is a Republican plan, a Republican alternative proposed by Republicans twenty years ago during the Clinton Presidency. So what is wrong with the Michigan State Legislature? 

That’s a good question. We must expand Medicaid now. There are no excuses. A survey by the American Cancer Society showed Michigan voters support expansion nearly 3 to 1. 

We need to act. You need to act. Send your lawmakers a message today. Let them know you support Medicaid expansion. 

Take the next step and please call: 
House Speaker Jase Bolger: 517- 373-1787 
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Joe Haveman: 517-373-0830 
Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville: 517- 373-3543 
Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn: 517- 373-1760 
Senate Appropriations Community Health Subcommittee Chair John Moolenaar: 517- 373-7946 

For more information go to: http://consumersforhealthcare.org/​