FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 18, 2021
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
Cell: 517.281.1084
Michigan has opportunity to extend health insurance coverage to over 3,000 children
‘ICHIA’ option would improve financial stability and healthcare access for immigrant families
LANSING—By taking up an option to waive a five-year waiting period, Michigan would be able to enroll 3,000 to 4,000 lawfully residing children in healthcare programs and receive substantial federal matching funds. The state could come closer to covering all children and could also secure more comprehensive coverage for pregnant immigrants in the future, according to a new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy.
The Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act (ICHIA) is a federal option states can use to waive a five-year waiting period for Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) for lawfully residing children and pregnant people. The waiting period was instated as part of the 1996 welfare reform law, but the ICHIA option has been available to states since 2009. Michigan has not yet taken up this option for either children or pregnant people, although it currently provides prenatal care regardless of immigration status.
“Michigan is actually falling behind as more than two-thirds of states have eliminated the waiting period for lawfully residing immigrant children and are seeing improvements in their access to healthcare and fewer unmet healthcare needs,” said Joan Alker, Executive Director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. “Research shows that access to Medicaid in childhood helps lead to longer, healthier lives, a better chance to finish high school and college, and more prosperous futures for children—so why would a state want to delay those benefits by five years for any child? This would also be a smart fiscal decision as Michigan would receive substantial federal matching funds allowing the state to make this important long-term investment in the future of Michigan’s children.”
The ICHIA option would extend coverage to more Hispanic or Latinx children in Michigan in particular, because they represent a large share of immigrants and are more likely to be income-eligible for Medicaid and CHIP. In addition, in 2019, Hispanic or Latinx children were uninsured at twice the rate as children of any other racial or ethnic group. A history of racial and economic geographic segregation, in addition to institutional racism in areas like housing and employment, continues to impact families of color when it comes to resources like healthcare. Challenges around language access and barriers to licensing or jobs may also contribute to difficulties for residents who are immigrants. It is key that Michigan use its available tools, like ICHIA, to make the state more inclusive to residents who are immigrants.
“We’ve seen the impact of recent anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric—like the now-halted “public charge” rule, among others—in creating confusion and fear in immigrant communities. If Michigan were to take action and update this outdated, restrictive policy, it would not only lead to consistent, comprehensive care for more kids, it also would go a long way toward rebuilding trust and creating a climate of safety and inclusion. And it would also improve financial stability for immigrant families through lower premiums, helping them to thrive as Michiganders,” Monique Stanton, President & CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, said.
The report, Covering More of Michigan’s Children: Making the Most of Existing Federal Flexibilities to Remove the Five-Year Waiting Period for Immigrant Children and Pregnant People, was produced with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and with technical assistance from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.
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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.
The Center for Children & Families (CCF), part of the Health Policy Institute at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, is a nonpartisan policy and research center with a mission to expand and improve high-quality, affordable health coverage.
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.
