As Michigan families navigate their health care coverage this year, one thing is clear: costs just keep going up.





*January 8, 2026*



View as a webpage [ [link removed] ]







Governor Whitmer Header





header

Dear Friend,

As Michigan families navigate their health care coverage this year, one thing is clear: costs just keep going up.

A few months ago, I asked Michiganders to share how their health care costs were changing at the start of open enrollment. Michiganders deserve quality and affordable health care, but right now, they’re seeing their premiums double or triple, forcing them to pay hundreds more dollars every month.

A majority of the Michiganders who wrote in told me their monthly premiums increased by between $100-$499, and a quarter saw their premiums increase by $500 or more.

At these rates, people just can’t keep up. That’s money families will no longer have to pay the bills, put food on the table, or save for a brighter future. People need relief and stability. However, Republicans in Washington, DC have chosen to enact huge federal cuts that are destabilizing health care and raising costs for Michiganders. 

I can’t control federal policy, but I will do everything I can here in Michigan to protect access to quality, affordable health care. See more about why Michiganders are frustrated by rising health care costs below, and what we’re doing to help.  

Sincerely,

signature

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor 

Health Care Costs Survey

Since I took office, ensuring every Michigander has access to quality, affordable health care has been one of my top priorities. That’s why, during this frustrating time, I wanted to hear how people across our state are navigating the increasing cost of health care.  

Hundreds of Michiganders from across our state responded, and most told me that the rising cost of health care, ballooning premiums, and federal cuts to programs like Medicaid are hitting them hard.  

Nearly 75% of the Michiganders who wrote in told me that their health care is much more expensive this year, and nearly 60% noticed increases in their monthly premium and deductible.   

graph 1
blank
1
blank
2
blank
Still Time to Enroll in Affordable Health Insurance: Open Enrollment

If you need health insurance for 2026, there is still time to sign up for a plan during open enrollment at HealthCare.gov. [ [link removed] ] 

*The annual Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period ends next week on January 15, 2026.* 

Health insurance isn’t just for when you’re sick or hurt, it’s also important to help you stay healthy and protect yourself from unexpected high medical costs.  


* Michiganders can shop for a health plan by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace [ [link removed] ] at HealthCare.gov [ [link removed] ] or by calling 800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).  

* For questions about health coverage, visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance [ [link removed] ] or call DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442. DIFS has created an on-demand webinar [ [link removed] ] designed to help consumers learn about signing up for a health plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace and provide resources to answer any questions. 

* Open Enrollment navigators [ [link removed] ] are also available to provide free, local assistance to consumers who need help signing up for health coverage. For assistance, visit HealthCare.gov [ [link removed] ] or call 800-318-2596. 

Expanding Access & Lowering Cost of Health Care

*Here’s what we’re doing to expand access to health care in Michigan:* 


* When I was in the Michigan Legislature, I worked across the aisle to establish the bipartisan Healthy Michigan Plan, Michigan’s expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act that now covers hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. 

* As governor, I signed bipartisan legislation enshrining cost-saving provisions of the Affordable Care Act into state law, including requirements for preventative care, protections for preexisting conditions, and allowing children to stay on their parents’ plans until they turn 26. 

* I also signed bipartisan legislation requiring insurance providers to offer equal coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments. 

* In response to ongoing federal uncertainty and other factors contributing to higher insurance rates, I worked with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and took action to protect consumers, resulting in final approved rates that are projected to be $250 million less than what health insurers requested. 

*Here’s what we’re doing to lower the cost of quality health care in Michigan:* 


* Everyone agrees there is waste in government that should be addressed. With our partners at MDHHS, we are addressing these problems in Michigan’s Medicaid system without reckless cuts. 

* In my 2025 State of the State Address, I committed to working across the aisle to reduce medical debt so that being sick or getting hurt doesn’t also mean being broke. In July, I announced our first round of medical debt forgiveness and erased over $144 million of debt for nearly 210,000 Michiganders across the state by working with Undue Medical Debt. 

* We also zeroed out premiums for MIChild, insurance for children in poverty. 







"Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. This e-mail account is not monitored.
You may contact Governor Whitmer’s office by calling 517-335-7858 or online at Michigan.gov/Whitmer [ [link removed] ]."

*Stay Connected:* Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]

* Text " GovWhitmer "to _(844) 495-1818_ to subscribe to text message updates*

* Subscriber Services:*  

Manage [ [link removed] ] Preferences [ [link removed] ] Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ] Help [ [link removed] ]
div.qs_banner {display: none !important;}

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Executive Office of the Governor · 111 S. Capitol Ave · Lansing, Michigan 48901 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]

body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;}