Health Care Reform
April 10, 2012 testimony to the Senate Committee on Community Health
As you make final decisions on the Department of Community Health budget, I am writing on behalf of the Michigan League for Human Services to encourage you and your colleagues to consider the long-term impacts of your decisions, not just a short-term goal of reaching a dollar target. As you know, health care needs do not diminish when funding for services is reduced or eliminated; they often escalate and become more expensive to treat or resolve. Please keep in mind that your decisions directly impact people’s lives and are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. Read more.
Why federal health care reform is good medicine for Michigan
Health care reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act caps a century of efforts to make health care available to all (updated March 2012).
Read the fact sheet.
Letter to Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary, urging minimum benefits to be set
On behalf of the Michigan League for Human Services, a statewide network of more than 1,500 organizations and individuals, I am writing to provide comments on the Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Essential Health Benefits Bulletin issued December 16, 2011.
Overall, we believe the Bulletin provides too much flexibility to the states and insurance com-panies in the design of their Essential Health Benefits (EHB) packages. With such flexibility, the final benefit package could fall short of the robust, comprehensive coverage contemplated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Finding a consumer voice on health care
The Michigan Consumers for Healthcare coalition is working to address the opportunities that health care reform presents and provide a coordinated, strategic consumer voice at health care policy tables to achieve both immediate and long-term results.
The Michigan League for Human Services is a founding member of the coalition and served as the coalition convenor until funds could be secured to hire staff. The League is the coalition’s fiduciary agent. The coalition was formed after the 2010 passage of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. For more information, go to http://www.healthcareadvancement.org/
Letter to Michigan House of Representatives in support of SB 348
the 1 percent health care claims tax, which will provide the revenue needed to fund expenditures in the Department of Community Health appropriations, signed by the Governor on June 21, 2011. These revenues are essential to maintaining the Medicaid program, to provide essential health care services primarily to children, the elderly and those with disabilities.
July 13, 2011 testimony from League Jan Hudson:
Thank You Gov. Snyder for Health Care Stand
Gov Rick Snyder was the only GOP governor to decline to sign the letter to U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, seeking full repeal of the Affordable Care Act and more flexibility in the Medicaid program. In a letter to Gov. Snyder, League President & CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs writes: “We applaud your willingness to set aside politics and pursue an agenda that is focused on what is best for the residents of Michigan.” June 20, 2011 Click here for letter
Jan. 19 statement from League President & CEO Gilda Z. Jacobs:
“The majority in the U.S. House is poised to vote to repeal the health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act. This would take away recently implemented protections and coverage, as well as future protections and coverage, from millions of people. Ironically, members of Congress themselves currently enjoy health care coverage security with their comprehensive benefits…”
Read full statement
Read the letter sent to Michigan’s U.S. House members
Read blog about the repeal
Celebrating Benefits from the First Year Affordable Care Act
Federal Health Care Reform: Challenges for the States 
Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA and a nationally known advocate for access to health care, was the keynote speaker Friday, April 23, 2010 at a forum sponsored by the Michigan League for Human Services and the Michigan Health Insurance Access Advisory Council.
Speaker Powerpoints:
Janet Olszewski Powerpoint presentation click here>>
Ed Wolking Powerpoint presentation click here>>
Sister Mary Ellen Powerpoint presentation click here>>
Link for recording click here
Health Care Reform Principles
The Michigan League for Human Services is a statewide citizens organization dedicated to advocacy, education and issues concerning low-income individuals and families. read more>>
Looming Cuts in Michigan’s Budget Threaten to Widen the Gulf in Health Disparities
Health disparities are the persistent gaps that exist between the health status of racial and ethnic minorities and whites, and they are growing. Despite continued advances in health care, technology and overall health status, minorities continue to have more disease and premature death than whites. — August 2009 click here>> To read the press release click here>>
