Capitol News

Following the start of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health care costs in Michigan are rising, with many residents facing higher premiums and potential loss of coverage. The increases come as federal subsidies expire at the end of the year, leading to changes among insurers in the state.

According to recent reports, several insurance providers have either exited Michigan or reduced their offerings. HAP CareSource is dropping coverage for 20,000 members, with current plans set to expire at year’s end. This change comes alongside an average premium increase of about $600 per month for some policyholders.

A spokesperson for the Michigan Democratic Party, Joey Hannum, commented on these developments: “Mike Rogers and his Republican allies are standing by while thousands of Michiganders lose their health insurance and premiums skyrocket by hundreds of dollars per month—all because they refuse to extend the tax credits that make health care affordable for middle-class families. Rogers’ loyalty to billionaires over Michigan families will leave people sicker, rural hospitals reducing services, and working people choosing between paying for health insurance or putting food on the table.”

The ACA Marketplace rates in Michigan are expected to rise by an average of 20.2% compared to last year. United Healthcare has announced nearly a 26% hike in premiums.

Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet hosted a roundtable with local leaders discussing how these changes could affect families, businesses, and healthcare workers across mid-Michigan. She noted that more than 32,000 people in mid-Michigan could lose their health insurance due to cuts in Medicaid and expiring tax credits. “In mid-Michigan where 70% of our jobs pay less than $60,000 a year, how are you supposed to absorb tens of thousands of dollars of extra costs coming out of your take-home pay? It’s not possible,” she said.

Dr. Aisha Harris from Harris Family Health highlighted concerns about worsening public health outcomes when individuals cannot access care: “They get sicker; when people get sicker, some of them die.” Jessica Brown, owner of Wayfinder Travel Group, expressed worry as her own premium is set to double: “If I go without health insurance, if I choose not to pay that $1,000 a month, I’m looking at not getting screenings that I would normally get.”

Community advocate Shearese Stapleton warned that these disruptions could have ripple effects throughout society.

McDonald Rivet called for bipartisan efforts toward a more inclusive system: “We can’t let our country get to a place where you only get a mammogram if you have money,” she said.

Analysts point out several factors behind rising costs—including canceled federal subsidies, increasing hospital expenses, higher demand for expensive medications such as GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic—and warn that up to four million Americans may be priced out entirely from coverage. Hospitals may also face increased strain or closures as more individuals become uninsured.

More information can be found through reports from WEYI, FOX 2 Detroit, and WOODTV.