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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE * 

October 19, 2023  

Contact: [email protected] 

 

*Governor Whitmer Signs Legislation Protecting Health Care for Millions of Michiganders* 

 

*LANSING, Mich. - *Today, Governor Whitmer signed legislation protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which ensures affordable health care coverage for millions of Michiganders and their families, and makes it harder for the federal government or Supreme Court to repeal the ACA and claw back healthcare access like they did with the overturn of "Roe v. Wade".  

 

“When I was in the Legislature, I brought Democrats and Republicans together to establish Healthy Michigan, which now covers over one million Michiganders,” said* Governor Whitmer*. “The ACA includes critical provisions that protect people with pre-existing conditions from being charged more, allows kids to stay on their parent’s insurance until they turn 26, and guarantees essential services in all health insurance plans. Today, I am proud to sign bipartisan bills putting the cost-saving provisions of the ACA into Michigan state law and protect health care for millions of Michiganders.”  

 

House Bill 4619 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2023-HB-4619 ], sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D – Kalamazoo) prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation or expression. 

 

“As a health care provider, I am thrilled that all eight of the bills in the Affordable Care Act package have now been signed into law by the Governor,” said *state Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo)*. “Preserving access to care and insurance by safeguarding some of the most important aspects of the ACA will save lives. An important element includes the prohibition against discrimination based on an individual’s gender or sexual orientation. This legislation helps protect all Michiganders by ensuring they get the coverage they need and the protections they deserve.” 

 

House Bill 4620 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-HB-4620 ], sponsored by Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), prohibits insurers from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions.  

 

“The Affordable Care Act was enacted to protect access to health insurance, especially for people with chronic diseases. It’s important for Michiganders to have continued access to medical care regardless of their current medical needs. We’ve all read heartbreaking stories on GoFundMe and similar sites in attempts to fundraise for lifesaving care; this should not be the case. Medical care should be accessible to all as a basic human right,” said *state Rep. Kimberly Edwards *(D-Eastpointe). 

 

House Bill 4621 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-HB-4621 ], sponsored by Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), requires insurance coverage for dependents under age 26.  

 

“Signing the ACA's protections into state law is monumental for the people of Michigan. Now, Michiganders-present and future-can rest assured that their access, and their family's access, to health insurance is protected,” said *state Rep. John Fitzgerald *(D-Wyoming), “With these laws, Michiganders will be able to access healthcare when they need it most, no matter the circumstance.” 

 

House Bill 4622 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-HB-4622 ], sponsored by Rep. Reggie Miller (D – Belleville), prohibits insurers from instituting annual and lifetime dollar limits. 

 

“Prior to the implementation of the federal ACA, insurance providers had every right to implement annual and lifetime caps on health care coverage,” said *state Rep. Reggie Miller* (D-Van Buren Township). “These providers had the freedom to decide that coverage for things like cancer were too expensive, and people could be hit with an annual cap on their coverage. This is yet another wrong that Michigan Democrats have corrected, and I’m proud to see this package signed into law.” 

 

House Bill 4623 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-HB-4623 ], sponsored by Rep. Matt Koleszar (D – Plymouth), requires insurers to provide coverage for specified services such as hospitalization, pregnancy, and emergency services.  

 

“Ensuring access to affordable healthcare for residents should be a top priority for every lawmaker in our state,” *State Representative Matt Koleszar* said, “by signing these bills into law, we have guaranteed that Michigan has done just that.” 

 

Senate Bill 356, [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2023-SB-0356 ] sponsored by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D – St. Clair Shores), require insurers to provide a summary of a health insurance policy and coverage to consumers. 

 

“The Affordable Care Act is one of the most impactful pieces of healthcare legislation passed in a generation,” said State Senator *Kevin Hertel* (D-St. Clair Shores). “Because of the ACA, countless Michiganders with pre-existing conditions were able to afford insurance and access preventive care. While some of the federal legislation’s most popular provisions face challenges in court, we are ensuring those protections remain safe here in Michigan for years to come.” 

 

Senate Bill 357 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-SB-0357 ], sponsored by Sen. Mary Cavanaugh (D – Redford Twp.), prohibits insurers from rescinding coverage.  

 

“Every Michigander deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care,” said State Senator *Mary Cavanagh* (D-Redford Township). “Following its passage in 2010, the Affordable Care Act was instrumental in extending and expanding coverage for thousands of Michigan residents. This legislation is an important step to codify the ACA’s most critical provisions into state law and ensure Michiganders can continue to maintain quality and consistent insurance benefits.” 

 

Senate Bill 358 [ [link removed](S(nyy2deyzamorgbmcg0erxlwj))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-SB-0358 ], sponsored by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D – Eastpointe), requires the level of coverage insurers must provide in the state, including coverage equal to a certain percentage of the full actuarial value of benefits under a health insurance policy.  

  

“Before the Affordable Care Act’s passage, too many Michiganders were denied access to health insurance due to pre-existing conditions,” State Senator *Veronica Klinefelt* (D-Eastpointe). “Since its implementation, Michigan residents have enjoyed increased access to quality coverage — including access to lifesaving preventative care such as cancer screenings. Our work today to codify the ACA into Michigan law will ensure Michiganders’ healthcare remains protected, helping secure a healthier future for our state.” 

 

*Governor Whitmer’s Work to Lower Healthcare Costs* 

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has worked to prioritize the health and well-being of every Michigander by ensuring access to quality, affordable health care and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. 

 


* Extended Healthy Michigan to over 1 million people, and eliminated red tape, lowering costs for working families.  
* Expanded dental care for Medicaid or Healthy Michigan enrollees, lowering their costs. 
* Signed bills lowering the cost of prescription drugs and increasing pharmacy oversight, protecting Michiganders against surprise medical billing, and fostering more competitive health care pricing. 
* Signed a budget increasing reimbursement rates to Medicaid so more can access Medicaid services, expanding access to mental health services at school, and expanding Plan First!, helping 25,000 Michiganders strengthen reproductive freedom. 
* Signed an executive directive instructing departments to find ways to lower costs and protect coverage for Michiganders at risk of losing coverage for health care. 
* Consistently invested and expanded in Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, an initiative to address disproportionate racial impacts of maternal and infant mortality and ensure moms have the support they need for healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care. 

 

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