LANSING — Michigan physicians are calling on Republican leaders to protect Medicaid after a new report from state Senate committees warned that proposed federal budget cuts could leave 500,000 residents without health coverage.
The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee reviewed the report, which cautioned that the Trump administration’s proposed federal budget includes more than $535 billion in Medicaid cuts. Physicians say these reductions would have severe impacts on Michigan’s health system, particularly for working families, children, and rural residents. The report estimated that one-third of rural Michiganders rely on Medicaid, which also supports an average of 22% of the state’s hospital patient volume.
The Committee to Protect Health Care, comprising physicians across Michigan, has urged legislators to oppose the proposed cuts. They warned that reduced access to care would increase health risks for working residents, low-income families, and people with disabilities. Members of the committee specifically criticized state Senator Mark Huizenga and other Senate subcommittee members who voted to reject the report’s findings, characterizing their votes as support for Medicaid cuts to offset tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.
Medicaid currently provides health coverage to about 2.6 million Michiganders, including over 1 million children.
Physician groups plan to continue pressuring both state and federal lawmakers to block the proposed cuts and protect health care access for Michigan residents.