Protecting Medicaid in Michigan

Dear Friend,

A few weeks ago, I joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to host a roundtable addressing the devastating impacts of cuts to Medicaid proposed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress. We spoke with local pediatric health leaders and children’s health care providers who are concerned by what rushed and reckless cuts to Medicaid could mean for children who rely on it to stay healthy.

Medicaid covers one in four Michiganders—2.6 million people statewide—including more than 40% of the kids 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.  

The proposed budget cuts would cut Medicaid by $880 billion—the largest cut in history—taking health care away from millions of Americans, including up to 750,000 Michiganders. Even if you don’t use Medicaid, these cuts would ripple across our health care system and economy, hurting local health facilities and businesses, jacking up copays and premiums, and raising the cost of health care coverage for all American families.

I am all for eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in government, but we can go about it in a smart, strategic way, without kicking our family, friends, and neighbors off their health care.

We have to do better.

Here in Michigan, we are committed to protecting and expanding Michiganders’ access to health care and lowering costs. Please see below how you can make your voice heard against cuts to Medicaid and what we’re doing in Michigan to protect your health care.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor

P.S. I am committed to making sure Michiganders get all of the support they deserve from our federal government. That’s why my team and I are also closely monitoring how some folks in Washington are discussing changes to Social Security.

If Social Security is important to you or a loved one, I want to hear from you. Please scroll to the bottom of this message to share your story.

Fighting to Protect Medicaid and Health Care Here in Michigan

Here in Michigan, I won’t stop fighting to lower the cost of health care and expand access to quality, affordable 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 people.

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

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

☑️ With our partners at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), we are going after waste, fraud, and abuse 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 being sick or getting hurt doesn’t also mean being broke for the rest of your life.

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

Stay Informed, Make Your Voice Heard

Michiganders are still encouraged to apply for Medicaid if they are eligible or to submit a renewal application to ensure they have access to the health care coverage.

• Use MI Bridges to apply for Medicaid, check your eligibility status, and manage your account.
• Check your account for any changes and contact the MDHHS Beneficiary Help Line if you have any concerns. 
  • 1-800-642-3195
  • beneficiarysupport@michigan.gov.

If you are concerned about how President Trump and Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts could hurt you and your family, it’s important to contact the White House, your U.S. Senator, and your U.S. Congressperson.

• White House Comments line – (202) 456-1111
• White House Switchboard – (202) 456-1414
• Senator Gary Peters – You may contact Senator Peters’ office by calling 313-226-6020 or by visiting his website at peters.senate.gov.
• Senator Elissa Slotkin – You may contact Senator Slotkin's office by calling 202-224-4822 or by visiting her website at slotkin.senate.gov.
• House of Representatives – You may contact your U.S. Representative by calling the U.S. House switchboard at 202-224-3121 or by visiting the U.S. House website at house.gov

You may also contact my office and make your voice heard at Michigan.gov/Whitmer, call 517-335-7858, or click on the button below.

Social Security Survey

I am also concerned about how some Republicans in Congress are discussing changes to Social Security.

Michiganders have paid into Social Security their entire lives and they deserve every penny they are owed from our federal government when they retire and cash in.

If you are concerned about Social Security, I want to hear from you. Please fill out the below survey and make your voice heard.