HEALTHY MICHIGAN PLAN
WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS: THE BASICS ON PUBLIC ACT 208 OF 2018
Beginning January 1, 2020, upon approval by the federal government, individuals enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan must comply with work engagement requirements in order to continue receiving coverage.
BASIC REQUIREMENT: Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees must complete an average of 80 hours per month of “qualifying work activities” in order to receive coverage.
WHERE WE STAND
The Michigan League for Public Policy was a vocal opponent to the work requirement bill that passed the Michigan Legislature and was signed by Governor Rick Snyder in June. Work requirements will result in lost coverage for some enrollees, increased costs to our state, and unnecessary and difficult paperwork for those trying to apply for an exemption or stay in compliance. Over 650,000 Michiganders are enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan. We want to help every single one of them thrive.
WHAT KIND OF OVERSIGHT WILL THE PROGRAM HAVE?
- Enrollees must be notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that they must meet this requirement at least 90 days prior to its January 1, 2020 implementation
- Recipients must submit verification of qualifying work activities by the 10th of each month through the online MiBridges information system
- Recipients must be compliant for nine out of 12 months
- DHHS will send notificiation each month that a recipient is noncompliant
- DHHS may conduct random audits
- Recipients found to have misrepresented their compliance will be locked out of the Healthy Michigan Plan for a full year
WHAT ARE “QUALIFYING WORK ACTIVITIES”?
- Employment or self-employment
- Educational pursuits (including GED preparation or college)
- Job and vocational training
- Unpaid workforce engagement, including internships
- Tribal employment programs
- Community service (Only three months in a 12-month period)
- Participation in substance use disorder treatment
- Job search directly related to job training
- Having income consistent with being employed
WHO IS EXEMPT?
Although the list of exemptions seems lengthy, we at the League are deeply concerned by the process of obtaining an exemption. Cumbersome paperwork for recipients, healthcare providers and state employees will be necessary, and the lack of clarity laid out in the law will further complicate the process.
- Individuals ages 63-65
- Women who are pregnant
- Individuals who have a disability making them eligible for traditional Medicaid
- Caretakers of family members under the age of 6*
- Caretakers of disabled dependents*
- Caretakers of incapacitated individuals*
- Individuals receiving temporary or permanent disability benefits from a private insurer or the government
- Individuals who are designated medically frail
- Recipients of state unemployment benefits
- Individuals age 20 and under who have previously been placed in foster care
- Full-time students who are not a dependent of a parent or guardian or whose parent or guardian qualifies for traditional Medicaid
- Individuals who have a medical condition that results in a work limitation according to a licensed medical professional
- Individuals who meet the good cause temporary exemption
- Recipients with a disability as described under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act or the Affordable Care Act who are unable to meet the workforce engagement requirements related to that disability
- Individuals who have been incarcerated within the last six months
- Recipients in a home with an immediate family member with a disability who are unable to meet the requirements for reasons related to the disability of the family member
- Recipients who experience hospitalization or serious illness, or who have family members who have such experiences
- Recipients who receive court-ordered, prescribed or Medicaid-funded substance use disorder treatment
- Recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) who are either compliant or exempt from that program’s workforce engagement requirements
*Only one individual per household can claim this exemption.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The League is carefully monitoring Public Act 208 and we are committed to minimizing the harm done by this law. We continue to work with partners at the Department of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders to track the progress of implementation. Please follow www.mlpp.org and our social media accounts to get the latest news.
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.
