May 2017
Emily Schwarzkopf, Policy Analyst
With much attention being paid to healthcare at the national level as Congress and President Donald Trump continue to debate the fate of the Affordable Care Act, it is important to continue to focus on investments in healthcare right here in Michigan as final decisions are being made on the 2018 state budget.
HEALTHCARE FOR 650,000 MICHIGANIANS
Healthy Michigan Plan: The Legislature has continued to fund the highly successful Healthy Michigan Plan which went into effect in 2014. Currently, over 650,000 Michiganians receive robust coverage and services through this program. The continuation of the Healthy Michigan Plan is critical for residents and the state’s economy. Sixty percent of Healthy Michigan enrollees report that their ability to access primary care was better than prior to being enrolled, and 70% stated that they were more likely to contact a primary care provider before going to the emergency room. Eighty-six percent of enrollees have reported that their ability to pay their medical bills has improved since being enrolled in the program. For 2018, the governor has recommended continued funding through federal funds and required state matching funds to support the program.
- The Senate and House agree to continue funding the program with federal and state funds.
The League supports adequate funding to support the Healthy Michigan Plan in the 2017-2018 budget year and beyond.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Direct Care Worker Wages: The governor recommended funding that would result in wage increases for direct care workers who provide services through the state’s community mental health services. For 2018, the governor requested a total of $45 million to provide a 50-cent per-hour increase. The request for this increase follows a report that highlighted the challenges of recruiting and retaining direct care staff. The report found that wages for direct care staff were uncompetitive compared to entry-level wages in other similar occupations.
- The Senate recommends the 50-cent increase, but delays its implementation by six months.
- The House recommends a per-hour increase of 25 cents.
Behavioral Health Integration: One of the hotly contested issues in the Department of Health and Human Services budget continues to revolve around budget language (Section 298) that was placed in the current-year budget calling for the integration of behavioral and physical health. Last year, a workgroup was created to discuss and look for ways to improve the coordination of physical and behavioral health. The workgroup was tasked with submitting two reports to the Legislature that outlined policy recommendations, recommendations for financing models and benchmarks for implementation. The final report was not due until after the governor’s 2018 budget proposal was released, so the governor recommended continued conversations on how to coordinate services while maintaining the core values adopted by the workgroup.
- The Senate includes additional boilerplate (Section 234) along with making changes to boilerplate Section 298. The Senate recommendation calls for continued improvement in the system but also an unspecified number of pilot projects. There is legislative intent that calls for a move toward a single contracting model by September 30, 2020.
- The House includes authorization for three pilot studies to test financial integration between Medicaid health maintenance organizations and behavioral health providers. The language requires the department to provide a report on the timetable and plan for full integration.
The League continues to monitor the progress and conversations regarding integration of physical and behavioral health services. As participants in the 298 workgroup, it is our belief that any action should continue to follow the core values and benchmarks as established. It is also the League’s position that we continue to work to provide competitive wages for all individuals, especially those providing critical services to our state’s most vulnerable residents.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Flint Water Crisis: The Legislature has been providing funding to address the health and safety concerns as a result of the Flint water crisis. For budget year 2018, the governor recommended $13.4 million total for food and nutrition services, health services at child and adolescent health centers, water filter cartridges and replacements, and other services.
- The Senate supports the governor’s recommendation and additionally includes funding for the double-up food bucks program and additional water testing by the Genesee County Health Department.
- The House agrees with the governor to continue to support the ongoing crisis response and recovery in Flint.
Lead Poisoning Elimination Recommendations: The Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Board, created in 2016, reported 80 recommendations. The governor included $2 million to begin implementation of these recommendations.
- The Senate reduces the funding for implementation of these recommendations to $100—a placeholder to ensure continued discussions in the joint House/Senate conference committee.
- The House allocates $500,000 in funding to begin implementation of the board’s recommendations.
The League is supportive of additional funding to address the concerns surrounding the Flint water crisis and continues to advocate for increased investments in our cities and policy changes that will ensure this does not happen in any other Michigan city.
SERVICES FOR SENIORS
In-Home Services: With our aging population, proper investments are needed to ensure that we continue to care for them. In order to address waiting lists, the governor proposed an increase of $2.1 million for in-home services.
- The Senate agrees with the governor and increases the funding for in-home services to eliminate waiting lists.
- The House recommendation does include an increase, but totaling only $1 million.
Meals on Wheels: With potential threats to grants that fund Meals on Wheels programs coming from the recent release of the federal administration’s “skinny” budget, it is important that as a state, we support efforts to provide meals to seniors. In order to address the growing waiting list, the governor asked for $1.5 million.
- The Senate supports the governor’s inclusion of $1.5 million for senior nutrition services.
- The House reduces the amount of funding for this program, only providing $750,000 to support Meals on Wheels.
The League is supportive of additional funding for senior services to ensure that our aging population is able to live out their lives in the comfort of their own homes.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
