Latest news with #MichiganLeagueforPublicPolicy
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Michigan moms call attention to threats to Medicaid and health care during annual ‘Mama's March'
Moms and their kids line up for a picture on the Michigan State Capitol Building steps after the annual "Mama's March" on April 30, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Waving back at her young daughters in the crowd, Lansing-area birth and postpartum doula Kendra Smith told attendees of the annual 'Mama's March' outside the Michigan State Capitol Wednesday that in order to promote healthy families, Medicaid and systems of support need to be preserved. There's a lot of concern from different advocacy and service groups at the moment as Republicans in Congress have floated proposals for cutting hundreds of billions of dollars to Medicaid which funds services and care for individuals who have low incomes or disabilities. Medicaid is not a line item easily crossed out without grave repercussions, Smith said. Medicaid often means the difference between a mother going to a postpartum check-up appointment to determine if she needs medical attention, or not going to that check-up appointment, Smith said, adding that those appointments provide access to prenatal vitamins, lactation support and birth in a hospital. 'For Black and brown moms who are already navigating higher risk and barriers, Medicaid often makes the difference between life and death, and that's not hyperbole. That's reality,' Smith said. National data reflects that Black women are more than twice as likely to die from pregancy-related causes than their white counterparts and Michigan state data reflects the same reality where Black mothers were nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white mothers. In order to comply with the spending plans and priorities of President Donald Trump's administration, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, which regulates Medicaid amongst other governernment programs, is currently looking at how to save $880 billion, with Medicaid on the chopping block. For the last decade, typically more than 40% of births in Michigan have been funded, at least in-part, through Medicaid programs, according to reporting from the Michigan League for Public Policy. Medicaid provides care to those most vulnerable in Michigan, who might not have access to quality housing, nutrition or prenatal or postnatal educational resources, Smith said. Attendees listen to speakers at the annual "Mama's March" outside the Michigan Capitol Building on April 30, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Attendees listen to speakers at the annual "Mama's March" outside the Michigan Capitol Building on April 30, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Bridget Leonard, a Michigan-based nurse, speaks at the annual "Mama's March" outside the Michigan Capitol Building on April 30, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Moms and their kids line up for a picture on the Michigan State Capitol Building steps after the annual "Mama's March" on April 30, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols 'So when that funding is cut, we're not pulling access, we're pulling care from the very families that need it most. We're making it harder to close the gap and easier for preventable tragedies to continue,' Smith said. 'I'm asking you to stay loud, call your lawmakers, share your stories and fight for your families, because every parent deserves to be helped. Every child deserves to be born into a system that's ready to care for them, not cut them loose.' As the approximately 100 attendees headed off to seek out state lawmakers to urge preservation of Medicaid-funded services, Aisha Wells, deputy director of organizing for Mothering Justice, which sponsored the rally, told the Michigan Advance that she hopes state lawmakers in the predominately white Legislature remember their districts all have moms and people of color and residents who rely on Medicaid. As the mother of a teenage son and baby boy, Wells said she remembers not being listened to as a Black woman during her first pregnancy, dealing with doctors who shut down her concerns, but later determined her oldest son had obstructive congenital hydrocephalus which impacts the brain. And though mothers of color in the Michigan state Legislature like Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) and Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) are leading the charge in combating adverse health outcomes for moms of color, Wells said, all lawmakers should be fighting to preserve health care for families in their district. 'Everybody in your community is important. They matter. If one of us is being harmed, we're all being harmed,' Wells said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Column: We must protect Medicaid for Michiganders
Getty Images 2025 has already been a whirlwind year, especially if you work in, around, or have any connection to policy. And isn't that pretty much all of us? Advocates and journalists are sounding the alarm daily, but joining the conversation can feel like a challenge when everything is moving at such a fast pace. It's like attempting to double-dutch when the jump ropes are swinging too quickly — it's hard to know when or how to jump in without tripping. That's why we at the Michigan League for Public Policy have followed the data and research so we can help folks make the right decisions. With what's at stake, being informed is vital, Medicaid is in serious jeopardy. Right now, Republicans at the federal level are considering drastic cuts to Medicaid, the program that provides essential healthcare coverage to more than 2.5 million Michiganders in every part of the state who would otherwise be unable to afford needed medical care. The proposed cuts are part of a broader budget plan that aims to slash at least $880 billion from Medicaid to fund an extension of 2017-era tax cuts that mainly benefit the wealthiest Americans. This is a big deal. Medicaid covers essential services like preventative screenings, mental health treatment, and long-term services and supports. If Congress is successful in passing their proposed spending cuts, thousands of children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities in Michigan could lose access to life-saving healthcare. Those cuts would also strain local economies by threatening jobs in health systems, hospitals and nursing facilities across Michigan that are vital to our communities. It truly is hard to overstate how deeply these cuts would affect our state. Reductions in Medicaid funding would likely lead to: Coverage losses: Millions of people could lose their health insurance, making it even harder to access necessary medical care. Higher costs: Those who are unable to stay on Medicaid would face higher out-of-pocket costs for services and medications, putting more financial strain on already struggling families. Hospital closures: Rural hospitals, which often depend on Medicaid funding to stay afloat, would be at increased risk of closing. For many rural areas, this would mean the closest hospital would be hours away, making emergency care, maternity care and other essential healthcare services much more difficult to access when they are needed. In Michigan, nearly 16% of seniors and more than 37% of children living in a small town have health coverage through Medicaid. Many of your neighbors rely on Medicaid for their health insurance—check out our fact sheets to see how many people in your Congressional district are covered. This coverage means access to affordable, often lifesaving care. The more we understand and see the people behind the numbers, the more clearly we can defend a program that helps Michigan families stay healthy, stable, and able to thrive. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
CBS News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Michigan organizations voice concern over possible cuts to SNAP benefits, Medicaid
Michigan social support groups say small cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and health benefits for low-income residents could have a big impact on Livingston County. The first few months of President Trump's second term have been filled with major changes to funding for everything from park rangers to foreign aid. In Michigan, organizations that provide support for low-income residents are concerned that major social programs like food benefits and Medicaid could be next. "These are not wasteful programs," said Monique Stanton, who serves as president of the Michigan League for Public Policy. Susan Harding with the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency estimates that about 130,000 people in Congressional District 7, which includes parts of Ingham and Livingston Counties, would feel the pinch if Medicaid saw cuts. "Many would face the devastating choice between paying for health care or covering basic needs like housing and food," said Harding. Fresh food presents an additional challenge as Livingston County food organizations often turn to the Greater Lansing Food Bank or Gleaners Community Food Bank in Metro Detroit for some of their supply. "Never have I seen dried broccoli or carrot powder at the Greater Lansing Food Bank. But just the other week, out of desperation to bring some kind of food back to our food pantry, I loaded up our cars with this produce powder versus real raw vegetables," said Jenny Wagemann, the manager of Allen Farmer's Market. Organizers called on Michigan's federal lawmakers to push back against any proposed cuts. "The cuts that are being contemplated in Washington, D.C. right now, if those were to be implemented, they would cost jobs. And more importantly, I can tell you, they would cost lives," said Brian Peters, the CEO of the Michigan Hospital Association. Republican Congressman Tom Barrett, who represents parts of Ingham and Livingston Counties, did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finding strength in difficult times: MLPP looks at investing for the future
President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy Monique Stanton speaks at the league's public policy forum in Lansing on Mar. 13, 2025. | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols There's a long road ahead for organizations committed to promoting economic and racial justice, but it's important to keep fighting for fair systems for Michiganders, Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, said during the group's public policy forum in Lansing Thursday. A top of line issue cited by MLPP during the forum is the future of Medicaid, which covers the health care costs of more than 2.6 million Michiganders. With the Trump administration's failed federal spending freeze and Republicans in Congress proposing large-scale slashes both threatening Medicaid, Stanton said it's time to recognize the strength organizations have to work together to hold fast to promoting the social safety net. And the intent of some of the moves by the Trump administration and other federal players is clear, Stanton said: To exhaust organizations, make citizens overwhelmed and cause fear. 'So much of the work we do is coming under direct and malicious attack by our federal administration,' Stanton said. 'We refuse to back down on this work and when things are especially hard, like right now, I do believe that it's especially important to recognize some of the wins that have had when we have them.' Though the final days of the first in decades bicameral Democratic majority in the Michigan Legislature in the previous session ended in confusion and disorder, there were a few bills that made it into law that will work to promote prosperity, Stanton said. As Michigan faces an affordable housing crisis, Stanton said MLPP was happy to see the package of bills prohibiting landlords from denying a person the ability to rent housing due to source of income, including government subsidies, make it into law. Other wins for the league include legislation aimed at promoting maternal health care access, expanding eligibility for freestanding birth centers and increasing benefits for unemployed Michiganders in between jobs, Stanton said. There's interest in keeping momentum going for setting Michiganders up for success, the league's Fiscal Policy Director Rachel Richards told Michigan Advance. But as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues her goal of increasing PreK enrollment, Richards said the league would like to see a more 'holistic' look at early childhood development as state budget talks are underway. 'Under that umbrella, we also really need to make sure that we're taking care of our infants and toddlers who quite often require the most expensive care. They would require the most one-on-one care,' Richards said. 'We think that that piece was kind of really left out of the governor's budget recommendation.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
League opposes Michigan legislation weakening minimum wage, earned paid sick time
Rally at Cadillac Place state office building on April 22, 2021 to fight for minimum wage increase and paid sick leave. | Ken Coleman photo The Michigan League for Public Policy is deeply concerned about legislation that has already passed out of the Michigan House, which undermines a recent ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court and seeks to weaken earned paid sick time and minimum wage protections for working Michiganders. To provide some context on how we got here, it's important to look back at where this began. In 2018, Michigan voters were unjustly blocked from having their say on popular earned paid sick time and minimum wage proposals, which were polling at over a 70% approval rating. To stop the proposals from appearing on the ballot, the 2018 Michigan Legislature instead adopted them ahead of the election and later gutted them during that year's lame duck session. After a long, six-year legal battle, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled last year that this adopt-and-amend scheme was unconstitutional. With that ruling, Michigan's minimum wage is slated to be raised to $12.48 this February and will continue to annually increase, reaching almost $15 by 2028. The tipped minimum wage will also be raised to $5.99 next month and will continue to annually increase until it is brought above the subminimum level in 2030. Additionally, all Michigan employers will be required to provide their employees either 40 or 72 hours of paid sick time each year, depending on the number of workers they employ. Minimum wage and sick leave bills clear Michigan House with bipartisan support after heated debate However, newly proposed legislation — House Bills 4001 and 4002 — is placing these urgently needed worker protections at risk of being significantly altered, yet again. These bills seek to reduce minimum wage increases over the next several years, resulting in a $1,000 to $2,400 annual pay cut for Michigan workers, while also maintaining subminimum tipped wages and exempting 96% of Michigan businesses — those with less than 50 employees — from providing paid sick time. HBs 4001 and 4002 would move Michigan in the wrong direction in terms of strengthening economic security for workers and their families, addressing pay inequities, and safeguarding our state's public health. They come at a time when the majority of Michiganders, including both Democrats and Republicans, have said they support the minimum wage and paid sick leave changes set to take effect this February. They also come at a time when our state's wages continue to lag behind the cost of living and public health continues to be jeopardized by a lack of basic paid sick time coverage for many workers. The COVID-19 pandemic truly underscored the importance of paid sick time for all. Without it, many employees must choose to either go without pay or go to work sick. The provisions slated to take effect this February will allow all Michigan workers to take time off when they are sick without fear of experiencing financial hardship, while also reducing the risk of contagious illnesses spreading in workplaces, schools and public spaces. However, if HB 4002 passes in the Michigan Senate, these essential protections will be stripped away from nearly 1.5 million working Michiganders, placing workers, families and the general public in harm's way. Furthermore, Michigan's minimum wage already falls far behind many other states, 17 of which have already passed a $15 minimum wage. These are not just states with large urban centers, but more rural states as well, such as Nebraska and Missouri. Currently, Michigan's minimum wage is only $10.56 an hour. If HB 4001 passes in the Michigan Senate, it would not reach $15 for another four years. In comparison, the minimum wage schedule slated to go into effect this February will provide larger annual pay increases over the next several years and will get Michigan's minimum wage to almost $15 sooner. As the cost of living continues to rise and looming federal cuts begin to harm household budgets, we need to be doing more, not less, to ensure Michigan workers and families are able to afford basic necessities, such as housing, food, utilities and healthcare. This includes the 41% of Michigan households that are already struggling to make ends meet. Bringing tipped wages above the subminimum level is also critically important from both an economic security and equity standpoint. Contrary to what proponents of these bills have said, we only need to look to the seven states that have already established a single fair minimum wage to uncover strong evidence showing that tipped workers in these states have done as well as or better than tipped workers in states with subminimum tipped wages. And, given that Michigan currently has one of the widest gender wage gaps in the country and 74.3% of all tipped workers are women, the changes slated to take effect next month will go a long way in addressing ongoing pay inequities in our state, while ensuring all service industry workers receive more consistent wages that are not as contingent on the tips they make. This is especially important for tipped workers in smaller, rural communities where restaurants and bars may not have as large of a customer base as larger, urban communities. When workers are healthier, better paid and less stressed, businesses thrive, communities prosper and our state becomes a stronger and more equitable place for all. We hope to see the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling upheld for the sake of workers, families, public health, local economies and our state as a whole. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
