Michigan Medicaid losses: why community-based organizations are essential to keeping 355,000 residents covered
Lisa Braddix, chief health equity officer for the Southeastern Michigan Health Association, published an opinion piece in Bridge Michigan arguing that community-based organizations (CBOs) must be funded to help Michigan residents navigate sweeping changes to Medicaid.
In the piece, Lisa highlights how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — signed in July 2025 — introduced new requirements such as more frequent eligibility redeterminations and work or volunteer documentation, changes projected to result in up to 355,000 Michiganders losing coverage. She draws on her nearly 20 years in community health to illustrate how these administrative burdens fall hardest on people already juggling work, caregiving, and managing chronic conditions.
Lisa calls on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Legislature to direct Governor Whitmer’s proposed $11.7 million in Medicaid beneficiary support funds toward CBOs, which she describes as trusted, community-embedded entities capable of reaching people in ways that larger institutions cannot.
CHRT is committed to advancing equitable health policy in Michigan, and we welcome perspectives that center community engagement as essential to protecting coverage for vulnerable populations.