For Immediate Release
May 18, 2022
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
517-775-9053
Advocates outline recommendations to prepare for end of public health emergency, protect residents’ healthcare
Federal public health emergency has staved off Medicaid disenrollment, funded continuous coverage, but expected to end in October
LANSING—While the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) is now expected to last until this fall, health coverage for millions of people—including here in Michigan—could be in jeopardy when the PHE ends and states resume their regular eligibility reviews of all Medicaid enrollees. But massive coverage losses aren’t inevitable, and the Michigan League for Public Policy and the national Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) are working to help address this.
“The anticipated extension of the public health emergency until this fall is not only a relief–it is an opportunity,” said Monique Stanton, President and CEO for the Michigan League for Public Policy. “We know Michigan officials are working hard to prepare for the PHE transition and protect coverage for millions of Michiganders, and these are concrete steps that can be taken to assist with that effort.”
In concert with national, state and community partners, the League has been working in Michigan to help raise concerns and protect health coverage for state residents when the PHE expires. The League has produced a set of policy recommendations as the state prepares to resume annual Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewals following the expiration of the PHE. The League’s recommendations are intended to support an “unwinding” process that minimizes administrative-related coverage losses, facilitates effective transitions to alternative forms of coverage should Medicaid ineligibility be established after review, and improves the efficiency of renewal procedures in the long-term.
The League’s recommendations for policymakers and administrative officials related to the PHE transition include:
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Planning for a 12-month unwinding period to process renewals after the PHE ends;
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Considering a process for engaging local partners and stakeholders interested in helping to shape Michigan’s unwinding plan;
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Sharing the state’s official plan for resuming routine Medicaid/CHIP renewal operations;
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Partnering with Medicaid managed care organizations and community-based organizations to ensure effective communication with enrollees;
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Increasing the percentage of Medicaid/CHIP renewals completed ex parte;
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Continuing to allow Medicaid/CHIP enrollees to renew online, in-person, or by phone;
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Investing in current and new staff to assist enrollees with the renewal process;
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Making state call center statistics publicly available;
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Stratifying disenrollment data by “Ineligibility Established” and “Eligibility Could Not be Established”; and
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Expanding follow-up methods for harder-to-reach enrollees.
“With at least five more months before the end of the PHE, agencies have time to get it right,” said Jennifer Wagner, Director of Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Governors and Medicaid agencies have a list of proven strategies available, and should be held accountable for implementing whatever is necessary to make sure eligible people stay covered.”
CBPP hosted a press briefing earlier today to highlight the actions states can take to ensure eligible individuals remain on Medicaid and help those no longer eligible for Medicaid transition to other coverage. The briefing featured CBPP health experts Jennifer Wagner, Director of Medicaid Eligibility and Enrollment, Farah Erzouki, Senior Policy Analyst, and Sarah Lueck, Vice President for Health Policy. Today’s speakers also discussed steps Congress can take to help protect people from becoming uninsured when the federal government ends the PHE. CBPP has also released a report, Time to Get It Right: State Actions Now Can Preserve Medicaid Coverage When Public Health Emergency Ends, outlining its recommendations for the PHE unwinding that were discussed today.
BACKGROUND
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted March 18, 2020, provided that state Medicaid programs would receive an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage throughout the PHE if four maintenance of effort provisions were met. Among these was a provision that required states to provide continuous coverage to all Medicaid/CHIP enrollees for the duration of the PHE. With the PHE expected to expire this fall, and along with it its associated enhanced federal support, state Medicaid agencies across the country are tasked with developing an approach to unwinding the continuous coverage requirement in their state and redetermining eligibility for all Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to advance economic security, racial equity, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
