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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

August 8, 2025  

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*Gov. Whitmer Signs Directive to Help Michiganders Afford Health Insurance After Passage of Republican Budget Bill* 

"Republican budget bill will drive up cost of health insurance, force thousands of Michiganders to pay more for premiums or lose coverage" 

 

*LANSING, Mich. –* Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive [ [link removed] ] asking the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to support Michiganders’ access to affordable health insurance, addressing recent actions by Republicans in Washington, D.C. that are designed to make it harder for people to get and keep their health insurance. The Republicans’ changes will raise the cost of health care by thousands of dollars per year for working families who buy their health insurance through the federal Marketplace.  

 

Specifically, the directive asks DIFS to raise awareness and educate Michiganders on what they need to do to keep or get health insurance during this Open Enrollment period. The directive also requires DIFS to answer Michiganders’ insurance questions on their helpline as well as connect Michiganders with Health Insurance Navigators and other supports available to help them assess their options, sign up, and enroll.  

 

“The Republican budget bill will raise the price of health insurance, forcing American families to lose out on thousands of dollars every single year,” said *Governor Whitmer. *“While I can’t control healthcare policy at the national level, I’m doing what I can to ease the burden on Michigan families. That’s why I’ve asked DIFS to inform Michiganders of their options when enrolling in the Marketplace and answer any questions they may have. I’m grateful to DIFS for working with my administration to make sure Michiganders can keep or get insurance that won’t break the bank. I’ll keep working with anyone to protect access to quality, affordable health care for every Michigander." 

 

“The Republican budget bill will raise costs for families and cause hundreds of thousands of Michiganders to lose their health insurance,” said *Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II.* “This isn’t abstract. Its impacts will show up in skipped prescriptions and tough conversations about how to afford a doctor visit. We must stand firm against any efforts to undermine Michiganders’ access to quality, affordable health care. Today, we’re asking DIFS to help Michiganders find health insurance and understand their options. Governor Whitmer and I will keep fighting hard and Standing Tall so every Michigander has a path to health, wealth, and prosperity.” 

 

“Access to affordable, quality health insurance is important for staying healthy and for peace of mind and financial security if someone in your family is sick or injured,” said *DIFS Director Anita Fox.* “We are proud that Michigan currently has the lowest uninsured rate in history, but new federal changes will raise out-of-pocket costs and make it more difficult to apply for and stay in enrolled in health insurance, jeopardizing Michiganders’ health. Michiganders who need help finding or maintaining health insurance or understanding their options can call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance [ [link removed] ].” 

 

“Munson Healthcare remains committed to providing the highest quality of care to more than 500,000 patients across our rural Northern Michigan area,” said *Ed Ness, President and CEO of Munson Healthcare*. “We support efforts to connect our patients to the tools they need to obtain health insurance coverage, because we know it is critically important to ensuring the best possible health outcomes.” 

 

“We know that when health insurance is unaffordable or it costs too much money to access care and prescriptions, it leads to delayed and missed healthcare,” said *Phillip Bergquist, CEO of the Michigan Primary Care Association.* “The burden of high health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs doesn’t just impact families financially- it often decreases preventive care, leads to less treatment for chronic conditions, and results in poorer health outcomes.” 

 

“Extending the Affordable Care Act premium credits should be the top priority of the federal government to maintain healthcare coverage for more than 500,000 Michiganders prior to the expiration deadline at the end of the year,” said *Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association CEO* “These credits are key to keeping affordable health insurance for many of our citizens and need to be acted upon. Health insurance coverage keeps Michiganders healthy and out of the hospital.” 

 

“We applaud the governor's focus on ensuring that Michiganders receive the support they need to navigate the health care access and affordability challenges that are anticipated in the wake of last month's passage of the federal Republican Megabill,” said *Monique Stanton, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.* “This support will be especially important for the more than half a million Michiganders who are at risk of losing their health care coverage as a result of the devastating cuts to Medicaid. We know that people across our state will soon be grappling with loss of coverage, major price surges and new requirements to keep their insurance, so the more that can be done to educate them and ensure they have the resources they need to navigate through these difficult times is critically important to the future health of our communities.” 

 

*Republican Budget Bill and CMS Rule Impact on Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace Insurance* 

Marketplace insurance and Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC) provide a lifeline to millions of working families across the country, saving them more than $700 on health insurance costs on average every year. This year, more than 500,000 Michiganders purchased their insurance through the Marketplace, ensuring they had more money in their pockets to spend on groceries, utilities, and other bills.  

 

The Republican budget bill has made it more difficult to sign up and keep their health insurance, even when they are eligible. Under the changes, most Michiganders will have more income verification requirements when they sign up or renew their insurance, adding extra barriers for Michigan families. The greatest impact will be on the nearly 200,000 families who use the Health Insurance Marketplace and have incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, starting in 2026, Michiganders will have a shorter timeline to enroll, moving the deadline up by one month. 

  

*Republican Budget Bill Impact on Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTC)* 

The Republican budget bill did not address EPTCs, a cost-saving tool for individuals shopping for coverage in the Marketplace created by the ACA. According to a Peterson-KFF report, [ [link removed] ] if the tax credits are not extended, out-of-pocket premiums could rise by more than 75%. According to the Urban Institute [ [link removed] ], without an EPTC extension, than 4 million people would be left uninsured by 2034. With rising inflation and other costs created by the Republican budget bill, many families will be unable to bear this burden and will be left without insurance. 

 

*Protecting Affordable Health Insurance for Michiganders* 

Governor Whitmer remains committed to protecting affordable, high-quality health care for Michiganders across the state. As such, she has responded to the Republican budget bill by signing an executive directive ordering DIFS to support Michiganders as they navigate the changes to Marketplace insurance. By raising awareness about the changes and ensuring Michiganders can get their questions answered, by DIFS or Health Insurance Navigators, more families will be able to maintain coverage without breaking the bank.  

 

To view the full executive directive, click here [ [link removed] ]. 

 

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