A new report says work requirements for Healthy Michigan could mean more than a quarter of all enrollees may lose coverage.
The report comes from Manatt Health, a health care legal and consulting arm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. The firm provides counsel on a range of healthcare related issues.
It found that while state estimates projected a four to eight percent loss of coverage, the actual numbers could be much higher: between nine and twenty-seven percent.
Emily Schwarzkopf is with the Michigan League for Public Policy. She said the data is based on an analysis of how similar work requirements have played out in Arkansas.
“The numbers I think are alarming but not shocking given all of the potential pitfalls we examined that might happen as the result of a potential policy like this.”
Those estimates mean that between 61,000 and 183,000 Michigan residents could lose coverage.
“I think we’re hopeful that the Whitmer administration will explore any avenues to minimize the harm on this and I hope they are open to working with their legislative partners to reduce any harm this policy could bring about.”
Schwarzkopf said even some residents who are eligible for Healthy Michigan will likely lose coverage because of the added paperwork.
Michigan’s new work requirements are set to go into effect on January 1st, 2020.