Protect healthcare for 650,000 Michiganians

April 2017
Emily Schwarzkopf, Policy Analyst

Continuation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Healthy Michigan Plan are critical for Michigan residents and the state’s economy. In recognition of the program’s success, the governor recommended, and the League supports, sufficient funding for the Healthy Michigan Plan in the 2018 budget year.

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.
The program has also made a significant impact on Michigan’s economy. The Healthy Michigan Plan has resulted in 30,000 jobs annually, $2.3 billion in additional personal spending power, and $150 million in state tax revenue as a result of added economic activity. Further, 90% of hospitals report reductions in uncompensated care, with overall uncompensated care dropping by nearly 50% across the state.

BACKGROUND ON MEDICAID EXPANSION

When it was first passed, the ACA included a requirement that states expand Medicaid to those with family incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. The existing Medicaid program generally had only covered the aged, blind and disabled up to 100% of poverty, with higher income levels for certain populations (children and pregnant women) and lower for others (childless adults).
However, the June 2012 United States Supreme Court decision questioning the constitutionality of the ACA (National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius) found the provision to require states to expand Medicaid unconstitutional. As a result, states were given the option to expand their Medicaid programs without penalty. State programs would be covered 100% by federal funding through calendar year 2016. The federal match rate will phase down to 90% over the next five calendar years: to 95% in 2017, 94% in 2018, 93% in 2019 and 90% in 2020 and all subsequent years.
The Healthy Michigan program has been shown to be incredibly successful for those receiving coverage through the plan. The benefits for Healthy Michigan enrollees must be based on federal benchmark coverage and include the 10 essential healthcare services. The plan also covers dental and vision services, hearing aids and nonemergency medical transportation.

MICHIGAN’S FEDERAL WAIVERS

The legislation that created the Healthy Michigan program required Michigan to get two waivers from the federal government. The first waiver allowed the state to include cost-sharing requirements (including copays) and the use of health savings accounts into which newly-eligible enrollees would contribute. The contributions of enrollees could be reduced if certain healthy behaviors are addressed.
The second waiver limited the amount of time an enrollee could be enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan to 48 months. Once the 48-month cap is reached, an individual would have the opportunity to remain on Medicaid with higher cost-sharing requirements or purchase private insurance through the healthcare exchange and be considered eligible for premium tax credits. Both of these waivers were approved by the federal government.
Another important component of Michigan’s legislation is that should annual state savings and other nonfederal savings associated with the implementation of the program not be sufficient to cover the reduced federal match, the Healthy Michigan program would end. The state realizes savings from programs that were previously funded either partially or entirely by the state General Fund that are now covered in Healthy Michigan, including non-Medicaid mental health funding, Adult Benefits Waiver program, prisoner healthcare costs and Plan First! Waiver program costs. Savings can also be seen as a result of revenue from the Health Insurance Claims Assessment, the use tax on Medicaid managed care organizations, provider assessments and an established hospital quality assurance assessment program retainer on special hospital payments.

CONTINUED THREATS

Despite the recent defeat of the federal American Health Care Act, there is still the possibility that Congress will fundamentally change the way Medicaid funding is allocated and limit how long Medicaid expansion will continue. As Congress moves forward on other priorities, including tax reform, there is the possibility that Congress, in order pay for tax breaks, could shift the costs of the Medicaid program to the states through block grants or per capita caps. There also is a chance that Congress could make changes in Medicaid financing in the forthcoming federal budget or when the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) funding is reauthorized in late summer or early fall. While the League encourages the Michigan Legislature to continue funding for the Healthy Michigan Plan in 2018 and beyond, it is also important to stay vigilant in protecting Medicaid funding and the Affordable Care Act.

THE GOVERNOR’S 2018 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION

The governor’s executive budget proposal includes continued funding for this critical program. Since the state is required to pay a share of the costs, the governor has recommended total funding of $4.1 billion, including a $200.4 million investment of state General Funds to cover the costs of the state’s match contribution. This amount does not take into account additional savings from revenue impacts or other budgetary savings created as result of the implementation of the Healthy Michigan Plan.