LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Whitmer is urging lawmakers to halt the passage of new Healthy Michigan Plan laws that are set to begin in January.
The new rules would require some Healthy Michigan Plan recipients to work 20 hours a week or 80 a month. The new rules were established through a bill that was passed before Whitmer took office.
On November 22nd, a lawsuit was filed by Michigan healthcare advocated, saying the new rules were unlawful. Similar lawsuits were filed in other states resulted in an injunction against similar requirements.
The judges who oversaw the case in the Federal Court of Appeals were unsure that having work requirements in relation to healthcare is legal.
Now, Whitmer is asking lawmakers to take the same steps in halting the process.
“Every Michigander deserves access to quality, affordable health care, and I’m working to ensure we take steps toward reaching that goal,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Health care for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders is on the line here, and we can’t rush this process while the courts decide on Medicaid work requirements. The legislature should do the right thing here and protect Michigan taxpayers while the courts determine legality. Then, we must work together to ensure affordable coverage for Michiganders everywhere.”
Officials say that unless the requirements are delayed, beginning Jan. 1st, Healthy Michigan Plan members will be required to report to MDHHS each month 80 hours of work or other eligible activities, such as job training.
Whitmer maintains that the work requirements should be suspended until the lawsuit is resolved.
Republican lawmakers are reportedly not planning on issuing a suspension of work requirements.
