Michigan First: Affordable, Accessible Healthcare
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-04-17 13:21:26
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm recently introduced a proposal to provide healthcare insurance to more than a half million uninsured Michiganders. The Michigan First Healthcare Plan provides access to affordable insurance coverage through a partnership with the health care industry and the business community.
The uninsured in Michigan include self-employed who cannot afford insurance as well as employees at small and large businesses that don't provide insurance.
Under Granholm's proposal, small business will be given the ability to help their employees gain access to affordable health insurance.
Announced in January in the Governor's State of the State message, Michigan First has since been incorporated in the Governor's budget proposal for FY 2006-07, which begins October 1.
Paul Reinhardt, the Michigan Medicaid director, recently testified that the federal government is reviewing the proposal, which requires a federal waiver to take effect.
Nationally, nearly 46 million Americans, including more than 8 million children, are living without health insurance—forced to gamble every day that they won't get sick or injured. And that's a risk no one should have to take.
Many uninsured Americans work hard, but still can't afford coverage. In fact, eight out of 10 of them are in working families. Having a job, even a full-time job, does not necessarily guarantee coverage. As costs go up, fewer businesses are able to provide coverage for their employees, and those that do are struggling to hold on to the coverage they offer.
That's why the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AARP and some of the most influential organizations in the country are again organizing Cover the Uninsured Week.
During the week of May 1-7, thousands of individuals and organizations from all sectors of society will mobilize to tell our nation's leaders that it's time to take meaningful steps toward solutions.
"During and leading up to May 1-7, 2006, Americans from all sectors of society will draw attention to the issue of the uninsured through activities such as press conferences, health and enrollment fairs, business events, campus activities, and interfaith events in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These activities will tell our nation's leaders that health coverage must be their priority," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
This year, Cover the Uninsured Week is highlighting ways everyone can help get America covered.
Go to www.CoverTheUninsured.org to:
- Tell Congress that health coverage must be their top priority.
- Spread the word by sending a Cover the Uninsured Week e-mail to 10 friends to ask them to help get America covered.
- Get involved in Cover the Uninsured Week activities and show your support.
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