Local Officials Helping with the ACA in Florida and Texas

As we gear up for the Rally for Michigan's Health in the Capitol on Wednesday morning, it's interesting to take a look at the tactics other states are taking to get support for the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, and make sure people are enrolled.

In Florida and Texas, there is less support than in Michigan, and they are pulling out all the stops to pass Medicaid expansion to insure their citizens. Luckily for Michigan, our governor is in favor of expansion, whereas in other states hostile governors are making passage more difficult.

So what's the White House to do? They are recruiting local officials - the people closest to those who would be affected by the expansion - to lead the way in promoting the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion. Local officials know community concerns and the issues immediately affecting those they represent - these are the men and women who can express those concerns to other politicians.

Libraries are also becoming an outreach point for health insurance. Libraries are easily accessible to most people, as well as a location people turn to for information about the government. Setting them up as a hub for outreach activities and complete information about insurance will open the exchanges to more people by eliminating the information barrier.

Medicaid expansion will lead to a healthier US population - playing politics with our health is unfair and harmful.

To learn more about this tactic, read the New York Times article here.


Please join us at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, July 3 at 9am! Urge the Senate to vote on Medicaid expansion.

Medicaid Expansion Moves Forward

With the federal government funding the expansion 100% for the first two years, and 90% after that, under the Affordable Care Act, it seems silly not to expand Medicaid to half a million people in the state of Michigan. Implementation eliminate the coverage gap for these half million working Michigan residents who were intended to be covered under health care reform but who earn too much to currently qualify for Medicaid and not enough to get tax credits to buy coverage in the new health insurance marketplace.

Expanding Medicaid would cut the uninsured population in Michigan in half. Preventive services and primary care will be available to more people, reducing care costs and emergency room visits. The overall health of the state will improve, thereby further reducing costs for the state.

We're still not there though. This bill still has to get through the Senate. Sign the petition to let your legislators know this issue is important to you. 

Tell Your Legislator to Accept the Funds and Expand Medicaid in Michigan

Here's the final facts breakdown: 

• Approximately 1.1 million people living in Michigan are uninsured.
• Expanding Medicaid will result in health care coverage for at least 450,000 low‐income parents and nondisabled, childless adults who currently do not qualify for coverage.
• Michigan could save up to $200 million in state spending per year.
• From 2014 through 2016, providing Medicaid coverage to low-income Michigan residents is paid entirely with federal funds, resulting in at least $200 million per year in savings for Michigan.
• Federal funds will always cover at least 90 percent of Medicaid costs.
• Estimated 10‐year state savings totals $1.1 billion, while estimated new federal revenue to the state totals $20.5 billion.
• In 2017, “saved” state funds can be redirected and effectively used to match Medicaid federal funds while providing comprehensive health care services to the newly eligible population.

 Learn more about the passage of this legislation. 

Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act

  

The Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act. This title is inherently misleading. It sounds as if you personally will be able to pay less by simply opt-out of insurance coverage for abortion. This is not the case. You will instead have to opt-in for insurance coverage for abortion services, including those in cases of rape and incest. 

 In order to receive coverage for abortion, women need to purchase an additional rider – indeed making women plan ahead for an unplanned pregnancy or an unplanned act of sexual violence. As noted by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan spokesperson Meghan Groen, insurance riders are mostly unavailable, and as they rely on market demand, riders for abortion would be more limited than others. “Nobody anticipates having an unwanted pregnancy,” stated Groen.