The Michigan Nurses Association, Medicaid Expansion Now Coalition and MICHUHCAN invite legislators and the public to an educational forum.
Medicaid expansion is still waiting for a vote in the Michigan Senate. And although a Senate workgroup has developed a revised version of the bill approved by the House weeks ago, there’s no guarantee of a swift vote. In fact, there may still be other options floated in the Senate — creating delays that could jeopardize approval by state and federal agencies in time for the January 1, 2014 implementation.
That’s why the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) and its Medicaid Expansion Now Coalition, along with the Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network (MICHUHCAN) is hosting an open forum on Monday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m. in Dundee. The goal is to educate legislators and members of the community on the urgent need for Medicaid expansion.
This is in Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville’s district, and the MNA has invited Sen. Richardville to attend and speak on Medicaid expansion and to hear from Michiganders who want to comment on the critical need for Medicaid expansion. Members of the community are urged to attend. Senate Democrats are ready to vote on Medicaid expansion, but many Senate Republicans still need some convincing.
Forum details:
Monday, July 29, 2013 — 7:00pm
Calvary Baptist Church
118 Riley, Dundee, MI 48131
Can’t make it to the forum? Here’s a snapshot of why Medicaid expansion is so important to Michigan: It would provide health insurance to an estimated 500,000 currently uninsured low-income Michiganders — many who are the working poor, seniors and veterans. Michigan would receive $1 billion in federal funding and the program is fully paid for until 2016. Federal funding decreases through 2020, where it stays at a fixed rate of 90 percent. Governor Rick Snyder has a plan to create a fund using the savings generated during the first years of the program to pay the state’s 10 percent share through 2035.
Plus, Medicaid expansion is expected to bring $2 billion in economic activity and 18,000 jobs into Michigan by 2016 — and save nearly 1,200 lives per year through improved healthcare access. You can read more details here.
The clock is ticking. It’s time for Senate Republicans to stop talking and start voting. Your presence at Monday’s forum can help encourage them to say YES to a program that does nothing but good for Michigan and its citizens.
