Health care providers and patient advocates in Michigan are watching to see what’s in a re-vamped Republican health care overhaul. The rollout is expected later this week in Washington.
Providers and patient advocates were not impressed with earlier Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
RoAnne Chaney is with the Michigan Disability Resource Center. Chaney says she’s very concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid.
“I don’t know what planet they’re living on if they think they can cut that much from Medicaid, and not affect people who really need that.”
“People really need that. People who are getting home and community-based services. That’s the optional services that they look at first to cut, so that affects a lot of people with disabilities.”
John Shaski is with Sparrow Health Systems in Lansing. Shaski says Obamacare has reduced the number of people who show up in emergency rooms without coverage. He says changes to the law will have consequences for medical care and the economy.
“Our employees, 8,000 of them, like getting their paychecks every two weeks, and not getting paid for services certainly complicates how we are able to conduct our business every day.”
Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, has also registered concerns about Senate Republican plans – especially if they take aim at Michigan’s expanded Medicaid program.