Michigan Advocacy Update
On July 1, after weeks of negotiations, the Senate advanced the budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, with the final vote being 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. This now sets the stage for a final vote in the House. Among many other changes, the bill would make Medicaid and marketplace insurance less accessible and more expensive, and is projected to lead to 17 million people losing coverage nationwide. This legislation puts their health coverage and access to essential care at serious risk.
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Other harmful policies in the bill include:
- More onerous paperwork for patients to enroll in and/or keep Medicaid coverage;
- Mandatory copays for Medicaid-covered items and services, even for people with very low incomes;
- Limiting how states can raise revenue to support their share of Medicaid costs, which would force states to slash benefits, coverage, and/or provider reimbursements; and
- Less premium assistance and more obstacles to enrollment or re-enrollment for patients relying on Marketplace coverage.
Medicaid provides quality and affordable health care coverage for about 1 in 4 Americans, and 3 in 10 people with bleeding disorders. In Michigan alone, there are more than 2.6 million individuals who rely on Medicaid for essential care. Without Medicaid, many people living with bleeding disorders could not regularly access the medication, treatment, and care coordination they need to live healthy and productive lives.
As long as this bill is in play, we are still fighting for our community! Please join us by reaching out to your Representatives to ask them to reject these Medicaid funding cuts and other policies that would reduce coverage and disrupt care. This is not a political issue but a matter of public health and safety. Even if you have taken action before, we encourage you to do so again!
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We also encourage you to reach out to family and friends to have them contact their elected officials, even if they do not live in Michigan.
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To find your Representative’s contact information, click here. You can call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask them to connect you.
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Please call or email your lawmakersā offices today and remind them that Medicaid is a lifeline!
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You can use this action alert from our partners at the Hemophilia Federation of America to email your House Representative NOW, or use the script below to get started.
Dear [Representative],
I am [calling/emailing] as a member of the bleeding disorders community and as a constituent to ask you to reject cuts to federal Medicaid funding. I am relying on you, as my elected official in Congress, to protect Medicaid from funding cuts and other policies that would reduce coverage and care.āÆ
Medicaid covers life-sustaining treatment and care for up to one-third of the bleeding disorders community. Without Medicaid, a majority of people with bleeding disorders will have no access to the regular care they need to prevent or treat painful, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening bleeding episodes. People will experience preventable health complications ā and overall healthcare costs will rise.
Please stand with the bleeding disorders community and so many others who rely on Medicaid, and reject cuts to this program that provides essential coverage to vulnerable individuals across the country.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
While there are still many uncertainties, please email advocacy@hfmich.org with any questions you may have.
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Together, weāre louder. Together, weāre stronger.
Thank you for helping our community be heard.
