Capitol News

More than 700,000 Michigan residents are expected to lose their health care coverage following Medicaid cuts tied to former President Donald Trump’s policies, according to recent reporting from the Detroit Metro Times. The report highlights comments made by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at a Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce event, where he downplayed the effects of the cuts.

Duggan, who is running for Michigan governor as an independent after years as a Democrat, told business leaders that “these Medicaid cuts are not as bad as they look, if state government knows what it’s doing.” He defended the law’s work requirement for Medicaid recipients and said that if elected governor, he would create a computer system to help residents log their work, education, or volunteer hours to maintain eligibility.

Health care professionals and Democratic leaders have raised concerns about the impact of these changes. Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, warned that “the cuts will be disastrous for Michigan health care,” stating hospitals may need to eliminate service lines or close facilities. Peters also noted that Michigan hospitals could lose more than $6 billion in Medicaid funding over ten years.

The vast majority of Michiganders reportedly oppose cuts to Medicaid. Rural hospitals in the state are already facing financial strain and have had to reduce services or close entirely.

Despite his campaign spokesperson Andrea Bitley claiming Duggan was “strongly opposed to the cuts this year,” no public statements from Duggan opposing the GOP-led Medicaid reductions could be found by Metro Times reporters.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel responded: “Mike Duggan’s campaign is being bankrolled by MAGA donors and loyalists to Donald Trump, and now he’s dismissing concerns of Michiganders who are going to lose their care because of the GOP’s devastating health care cuts. More than 700,000 people across the state are set to lose their coverage, health care costs are going up and hospitals are struggling to stay afloat, but for Duggan, these cuts ‘are not as bad as they look.’ It’s clear that MAGA-backed Mike Duggan can’t be trusted to stand up for our health care.”