Some have suggested that the state cannot afford to enhance Medicaid. Yet this argument is not supported by several reports. They conclude that, with matching federal dollars, the curbing of cost-shifting, and the resulting healthier workforce, Michigan would actually save money by strengthening Medicaid. Adopting the Governor’s plan would also address the untreated health issues faced by Michiganders who are currently uninsured, putting patients and their families on a healthier course.
Today’s Medicaid program is not perfect. The historical challenges posed by health care provider reimbursement and primary care access will not evaporate overnight, though in a recent report most providers indicated their willingness to take on newly covered patients. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, University of Michigan Health System and St. John Providence Health System have the resources and willingness to care for Medicaid patients.
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 Southeast 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 Governor Snyder’s plan, we say: We cannot afford not to support the Healthy Michigan Plan.
Jean Meyer, Interim President & CEO, St. John Providence Health System; Garry Faja, President & CEO, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System; Ora Pescovitz, CEO, University of Michigan Health System
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