Capitol News

Health care premiums for nearly 500,000 Michigan residents are expected to double on average due to cuts in health care supported by several Republican lawmakers, according to the Michigan Democratic Party. The party held a virtual press conference featuring Curtis Hertel, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party; Ranjeev Puri, House Democratic Leader; and Joel Rutherford, a Macomb County resident and veteran.

Curtis Hertel stated, “Michigan Democrats have been clear from the start: We want to reverse the Medicaid cuts, lower the costs, and save health care for Michiganders. Meanwhile, Mike Rogers and his Republican allies are supporting a government shutdown so they can spike health care costs for Michigan families and protect tax giveaways for billionaires. They created this crisis and bear responsibility for this shutdown.”

Ranjeev Puri added, “Tom Barrett and Bill Huizenga have continued to prioritize giving tax handouts to the richest Americans while leaving working families behind. And now, they’re refusing to do anything to prevent health care costs from spiking for nearly half a million Michiganders. It’s time to send them packing, and in 2026 Democrats will do everything we can to hold them accountable for their betrayal to our great state and the working families that call Michigan home.”

Joel Rutherford spoke about the impact of the shutdown on military personnel and federal employees: “As a veteran and retired federal employee, I know how disastrous this shutdown can be, but especially for our active duty military, federal employees, and veterans. Folks won’t get paid, benefits will halt, and lives will be disrupted. This has real world consequences and impacts, but Republicans like John James would rather shut down the government than prevent steep increases to health care costs.”

The Democratic officials criticized Mike Rogers, John James, Tom Barrett and Bill Huizenga for supporting what they called a "Republican shutdown" while not addressing what they describe as an impending health care crisis in Michigan. They said that if ACA premium tax credits expire in January as scheduled without intervention, almost half a million people in Michigan could see their premiums more than double. In addition to rising premiums, hundreds of thousands of residents may lose their health insurance entirely because of GOP-backed tax legislation.

Democratic leaders emphasized their willingness to negotiate solutions on health care affordability but accused some Republican lawmakers of being absent during key discussions.