Snyder warns Michigan lawmakers about Obamacare overhaul
"Altogether, there are 1.75 million children, seniors, pregnant women and disabled individuals served by traditional
But even as Snyder warned members of the consequences of passing the legislation -- including changes that may gut funding for Healthy Michigan, the state's
Also on Freep.com:
"
Added
Snyder's effort represented a key moment in the debate over repealing the ACA, also known as Obamacare, with the Republican governor saying the proposal by House Speaker
"In its current form, the (plan) shifts significant financial risk and cost from the federal government (to) the states," Snyder said in letters to the entire delegation but intended specifically for the nine Republican members. "While reforming the nation's health care system is vital, it is imperative that gains in health coverage and access to care are maintained."
Under Ryan's proposal, which is intended to maintain access to coverage while cutting back sharply on the federal government's financial responsibility for it, people without employer coverage buying insurance on state exchanges who make up to a certain income level --
The
The replacement plan, as initially written, also pulled back
Under changes put forward Monday night by Ryan, states would be able to continue receiving 90% of the funding for people currently on those programs -- which cover people making up to 138% of the federal poverty limit -- but new enrollees after
Over a short period of time, most people currently on Healthy Michigan would cycle off, analysts have found, with others taking their place. But because those new enrollees would be funded at a less-generous amount, it would leave the states to either pick up the difference or close their programs.
Also disruptive is a provision that in 2020 would set
The
By enacting such limits, spending -- at both the state and federal levels -- could decrease. But coverage would be expected to be scaled back as well, Snyder said.
Snyder's individual letters to each member of
"The proposed legislation reduces federal resources that our state relies on to assist 2.4 million Michiganders enrolled in traditional
"Received letter from @onetoughnerd on his opposition to #Trumpcare. Agree w/ the Governor -- MI
While Republican members of the
Also, looking at data from
Some
Closer to
Figures -- especially for Healthy Michigan -- were far higher in most individual Democratic-represented districts, especially the two touching
Not all Republican lawmakers are supportive of Ryan's plan --
Bergman and Walberg did not comment on any support for the plan following Snyder's letter. But
"As we move forward in this process, Fred looks forward to working with all of the governors to make improvements and provide more flexibility to the states," Wilbur said.
In his letter, Snyder said the way state law is written, the Healthy Michigan expansion would be be terminated under the current proposal because of the cost shift. He added that while
Related:
Trump says he's '100% behind' Republican health care bill
Snyder has generally been supportive of Republican efforts to rewrite the Affordable Care Act in recent months, meeting with Trump administration officials and key lawmakers on
But he has also insisted throughout that states need the resources and ability to maintain coverage they have already provided for efforts such as Healthy Michigan, which he has touted as a model for the nation, saying it has reduced expensive hospital visits through a formula that lowers recipients' costs for healthy behaviors.
Contact
___
(c)2017 the Detroit Free Press
Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
EDITORIAL: Republican bill would let employers get way too personal
The Latest: Trump makes final push for health care bill
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News