Medicaid Meltdown: Over 450,000 Michigan Residents Stripped of Coverage Amid State Review

In Michigan, 450,000 people no longer have access to Medicaid. (Photo: Bridge Michigan)

Statewide Medicaid Evaluation Leaves Thousands Without Healthcare, Prompts Concern for Vulnerable Populations

In a concerning turn of events, more than 450,000 Michigan residents have been left without Medicaid coverage as the state intensifies eligibility reviews. The ongoing assessment, marking its halfway point, has evaluated nearly 1.5 million cases, resulting in approximately one in three individuals losing their coverage. The surge in Medicaid numbers during the pandemic came to a halt as states resumed reviews following the conclusion of the federal health emergency earlier this year.

Notably, most of the individuals who have faced coverage termination failed to provide documentation to support their eligibility for Medicaid. The Whitmer administration has expressed a commitment to retaining as many beneficiaries as possible, even seeking waivers from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend coverage for those in need, including the potential for passive enrollment for certain cases.

There are growing concerns that children may be disproportionately impacted by these shifts, prompting officials to highlight efforts to maintain Medicaid access for minors, despite coverage changes for adults. Medicaid currently covers three in eight children in Michigan, emphasizing the stakes of this review process.

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Beyond Medicaid, adults may still qualify for the state’s expanded Medicaid program, termed Healthy Michigan, an option that holds significant potential in ensuring continued health coverage for those affected by the recent adjustments.

This development raises critical questions about the accessibility of healthcare for vulnerable populations and underscores the need for continued attention toward sustaining comprehensive medical coverage for all residents in the state.

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