According to a letter that the groups delivered to the State Senate, they are collectively calling upon the Senate to support children and families.
“As people of faith, we are called to support vulnerable Michigan children and families. We support your effort to expand Medicaid and help over 400,000 uninsured Michigan children and adults, at no cost to the State for the first two years and minimal cost after that. This policy will save the State millions over 10 years and create and retain thousands of health care jobs. As pastors and faith leaders who live and work all across the State of Michigan, we believe expanding Medicaid is the right thing to do for our State – morally, fiscally and ethically – and we urge you to do everything in your power to get this policy passed through the Legislature,” reads the letters.
The letters were delivered to Senate Majority Leader Sen. Randy Richardville (R-17), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Roger Kahn (R-32, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D-23), Senate Appropriations Committee Sen. Mark Jansen (R-28), Sen. John Pappageorge (R-13), Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-30), Sen. Dave Hildenbrand (R-29). The letter was also delivered to Gov. Rick Snyder, who supports the expansion, thanking him for his support, and asking him to be more vocal on the issue.
Medicaid expansion is a very important issues to hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents. Under the federal Affordable Care Act, Michigan must decide either to accept federal money and expand eligibility for Medicaid, or not. Barring Medicaid expansion will not stop new health care laws from taking effect. However, it will hurt low-income workers and businesses, an act that will negatively impact the Michigan economy.
Among other benefits, if Medicaid expansion is approved, the unemployed and low- income workers will be eligible for subsidized health care through the health insurance exchange system.
Michigan Prophetic Voices is a statewide initiative uniting clergy to strengthen their voice. The organization uses faith values to positively impact state and local policy concerning youth violence, education, budget cuts and struggling homeowners. The Metro Coalition of Congregations is an interfaith organization of clergy and religious congregations working together for transformative systemic and societal change. The group is currently focusing on health care, gun violence and mass transit across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties.
About Post Author
