Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442
Governor Whitmer, Michigan Officials Fight to Maintain Consumer Protections, Health Coverage Access Amid Trump Administration Effort to Overturn the Affordable Care Act
U.S. Supreme Court to Begin Hearing ACA Challenge Brought by Trump Administration Today
LANSING, MICH — As oral arguments begin today in the Trump administration’s effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the U.S. Supreme Court, the State of Michigan is working to maintain protections for consumers and ensure that all Michiganders have access to affordable, high-quality health coverage.
“Every Michigander deserves access to quality, affordable health care. That’s why I worked across the aisle as Senate Democratic Leader to expand coverage to more than 820,000 Michiganders through Healthy Michigan, and it’s why I will continue working to protect health care for people across the state,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in this case, and as health care for one million Michiganders is on the line, leaders from both sides of the aisle must work together to ensure coverage for the people we serve. To the people of Michigan: I will not stop fighting for your health care.”
Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently announced a $1 million-effort to ensure that Michiganders understand the health coverage options available to them so they can protect themselves and their families by signing up for a health plan during open enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. Open enrollment started Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15, and the state is seeking to contact 1 million Michiganders through town hall events, social media, television, and radio ads during this time.
“If this lawsuit is successful, some 20 million Americans, including more than 1 million Michiganders, could lose their health coverage just when they need it the most,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “It is crucial that we all pull together to make sure that more, not fewer, Michiganders have health coverage during this critical time.”
“Michigan was able to create the Healthy Michigan Plan under the Affordable Care Act to help hard-working residents stay healthy and productive,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “It’s one of our most important programs and was created with bipartisan legislative support. Without the Affordable Care Act, more than 800,000 Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries will lose their access to health care coverage.”
“We may experience the single greatest loss of access to health care in the history of our country, with more than 1 million Michiganders losing coverage, if this lawsuit is successful. This would be wrong at any time, but it’s unconscionable during a pandemic,” said Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East Lansing. “Michigan’s lawmakers must stand ready to take swift action to protect Michiganders’ health care if the ACA is overturned.”
“As the Supreme Court begins its hearings on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, I am glad that we have a package of bills to protect consumers here in Michigan,” said Rep. Padma Kuppa, D-Troy. “The health of over a million Michiganders is protected as a result of our implementation of the ACA. That is why I introduced House Bill 5432 to protect those with preexisting conditions from being denied healthcare; this is significant because over 51% of people in the Great Lakes State have a medical history.”
Millions of Michiganders benefit from the ACA every day, including:
- More than 820,000 Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries who are covered by Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program allowed by the ACA.
- Nearly 300,000 Michiganders who get coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the ACA, 250,000 of them receiving federal tax subsidies to lower monthly health insurance premiums.
- More than 70,000 young adults who are insured through their parents.
- More than 200,000 seniors and people with disabilities who save on prescription drugs through expanded drug coverage.
- More than 6 million insured Michiganders who do not have to pay out-of-pocket for preventive services such as flu shots, vaccines, mammograms, and screenings for heart disease, cancer, depression, diabetes, and more.
- More than 1.7 million Michiganders with pre-existing conditions who can access coverage without fear of insurance company denials.
To shop for health coverage, make changes to existing health plans, or to get free, qualified help to make health coverage decisions, Michiganders should go to the Health Marketplace by visiting www.healthcare.gov. For additional help, contact DIFS at 877-999-6442 or visit www.michigan.gov/healthinsurance.
The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/difs or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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