The League is proud to have helped launch Protect MI Care.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 23, 2025
CONTACT:
Adam Bitely, 202-689-9266
More than 100 Michigan organizations unite to launch Protect MI Care coalition in defense of Medicaid
LANSING, MI —As federal threats to Medicaid funding grow, more than 100 Michigan organizations have united to launch Protect MI Care, a multi-sector coalition dedicated to defending health care for the 2.6 million Michiganders who rely on Medicaid. Representing the state’s health care providers, education institutions, community organizations, and safety net advocates, the coalition’s goal is to prevent devastating federal cuts that would destabilize Michigan’s entire health care system and put one in every four people at risk.
The coalition released a joint letter to Michigan’s Congressional delegation urging lawmakers to reject proposals that would cap, cut or restructure Medicaid. These proposals, including a $880-billion reduction in federal funding over the next decade outlined in the House Budget Resolution, would jeopardize coverage and care for children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and working families.
“Medicaid is a cornerstone of Michigan’s health care system and our economy,” said Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “Cutting Medicaid would be catastrophic for families across our state and especially harmful to children, older adults, people with disabilities and the caregivers who support them. We formed Protect MI Care to fight for them.”
In 2024 alone, Medicaid covered 45% of births in Michigan, and more than 1 million children received health insurance through the program. The federal government covered approximately 76% of Michigan’s total Medicaid spending.
Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, emphasized the ripple effects of federal Medicaid cuts. “Medicaid isn’t just a program—it’s the financial lifeline that keeps hospitals, mental health providers and nursing homes open. Cuts at this scale would lead to facility closures, creating health care deserts that hurt everyone, regardless of how they’re insured,” Peters said.
The Protect MI Care Coalition brings together voices from across every region of the state, including both rural and urban areas, as well as frontline health care workers, educators, faith leaders, and advocates for maternal and child health, behavioral health, and disability rights.
“We’ve already seen the strain on our behavioral health system,” said Robert Sheehan, CEO of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan. “Medicaid is the largest payer of mental health and substance use disorder services in the state and nationally, providing the financial backbone to ensure access to mental health and substance use services in communities across the state. These proposed cuts would devastate Michigan’s ability to respond to the growing mental health needs of our residents.”
“Nearly half of all children in Michigan rely on Medicaid. It’s the bedrock of care for pregnant women, new mothers and children, especially in rural areas where Medicaid covers most births,” said Amy Zaagman, executive director of the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health. “These proposed cuts would roll back progress and exacerbate maternal and infant death rates.”
“Medicaid cuts have real consequences,” said Kelly Bidelman, executive director of the Center for Civil Justice. “Any reduction in Medicaid funding means fewer services, higher costs for everyone, and loss of access to essential health and long-term care for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.”
While more than 100 organizations have already joined, coalition leaders say this is only the beginning. Protect MI Care continues to recruit organizations and individuals to stand united against federal threats and to protect the health and dignity of all Michiganders.
Click here to view the letter the coalition released to Michigan’s congressional delegation.
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About Protect MI Care
Protect MI Care is a coalition of healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, educators, and community leaders working together to oppose harmful cuts to Medicaid. The coalition advocates for policies that protect health care access and economic stability for millions of Michigan residents.
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.
