 Dear Friend,
Last week, along with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), I released a survey asking you to share how Republican-proposed cuts to Medicaid would impact you and your family.
I heard from over 16,000 Michiganders.
They sent a clear message: "Hands off Medicaid!" Over 95% of the folks who made their voices heard said that it is extremely important that Congress maintains current levels of Medicaid funding.
I heard from people across Michigan – folks fighting cancer, children of seniors in nursing homes, new moms & parents, and people living with disabilities. They told me they need Medicaid to keep themselves and their family members healthy, from affordable prescriptions to doctor visits for their kids to treatment for a terminal illness.
Yesterday, we received the detailed report that I ordered from MDHHS to determine the specific impact of the current federal proposals to cut Medicaid. The report was alarming, finding that the huge proposed cuts would terminate health care for 750,000 Michiganders. It also found that the cuts would raise the cost of health care coverage for all families, even if you don’t use Medicaid, and would force countless healthcare facilities to close their doors.
I hear you. Michigan deserves better.
As governor, I cannot directly control how much funding Congress allocates to Michigan’s Medicaid program. But I am doing everything I can to prevent our federal representatives from making reckless cuts that would take health care away from our neighbors, family, and friends who need it most.
We need your help. See below about how to get involved to help stop Congress from cutting Medicaid.
Sincerely,
 Medicaid Survey Results: Michiganders Said "Hands off Medicaid!"
Alongside MDHHS, we asked Michiganders to share their opinions on proposed Medicaid cuts. Michiganders sent me a clear message: "Hands off Medicaid!"
95% of the over 16,000 Michiganders who wrote in said that it is extremely important to them that Congress not make cuts to Medicaid.
 We asked how Medicaid impacts Michiganders' lives, and thousands of people responded that Medicaid is crucial to their health and well-being. Over 15,000 Michiganders told me that Medicaid has helped them or a loved one afford prescriptions, doctors' visits, and preventative care. Over 13,000 said Medicaid helps them get dental or vision care. Over 8,000 said it helps them get mental health and/or substance abuse services, and over 6,000 said Medicaid helps them get support for a disability.
Medicaid is vital to keeping Michiganders healthy. Medicaid covers 2.6 million people statewide, including more than 40% of the newborns in Michigan and more than a third of Michiganders in rural areas. These are our friends and neighbors—people who are battling cancer, veterans living with a disability, and kids who just need a check-up.
How would losing access to Medicaid specifically impact you or your family?
 We have to stop Republicans in Congress from trading your health care for someone else’s tax cut. By slashing $880 billion from Medicaid, they are trying to deliver a $4 trillion tax cut, primarily for the rich. If this goes into effect, the cost of health care will go up for every single American. Here in Michigan, up to 750,000 people could lose access to health care. The cuts will hit even harder in small towns and rural Michigan, where 37% of residents are covered by Medicaid.
We need your help to send a message to Congress.
Help Stop Medicaid Cuts – Contact your Representatives
While 95% of folks who completed our survey said they don’t want Medicaid to be cut, only 17% said they have contacted their member of Congress to express their concerns.
If you are concerned about how President Trump and Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts could hurt you and your family, it’s important you take action and make your voice heard.
Contact your Member of Congress, the White House, and your U.S. Senator:
Make Your Voice Heard – Record a Video Expressing Your Concerns
About 35% of those who took our survey said they would be willing to make a video expressing their concerns. If this is you, here’s a sample script you can use for your video.
Sample script:
“Hi, I’m ____. If Republicans cut Medicaid, vulnerable individuals will lose access to essential care and face worsening health outcomes. Rushing to terminate this lifesaving coverage will endanger millions - a risk we simply can't afford.
[INSERT PERSONAL STORY ABOUT WHY MEDICAID IS IMPORTANT TO YOU]
So, my message to Republicans in Congress is simple: Hands Off Medicaid.
Here are some tips to record your video:
- Make sure your hand isn’t covering the bottom of your phone (that’s where the microphones are)
- Wipe your camera with a cloth to make sure the lens is clean
- Find a quiet spot, be conscious of TVs, traffic, wind, fans, phone notifications, etc.
- Hold the phone up so the camera is at your eye level
- Record facing a window or a strong light source
When you’re done, post it to your social media and use the hashtag #HandsOffMedicaid. Make sure to tag your member of Congress.
Thank you for your efforts. Let’s keep fighting together to protect Medicaid!
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