Legislative Brief: Michigan’s Health Insurance Marketplace at an Affordability Crossroads
Michigan’s Health Insurance Marketplace is a critical bridge for residents who do not have Medicaid or affordable employer coverage. With enhanced subsidies now expired, consumers may face higher out-of-pocket premiums, reduced coverage, and greater financial exposure. Impact: Enhanced federal subsidies for ACA Health Insurance Marketplace coverage ended this year. Michiganders are feeling the impact of this change – which is …
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HR1 and Michigan Medicaid: Eligibility and Financing Impacts
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, known as HR1, was signed into law in 2025 and represents the largest federal cuts to the Medicaid program’s history. This sweeping legislation fundamentally reshapes how Michigan’s Medicaid program is funded, who can access its services, and how health care providers are compensated. By restructuring the program along the dimensions of eligibility and financing, …
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Maternal Mortality in Michigan
Michigan faces a significant maternal mortality crisis, reporting 19.1 maternal deaths per 1,000 births in 2022, with nearly three-quarters of these deaths considered preventable. Deaths are categorized as pregnancy-related (e.g., infection or sepsis) or pregnancy-associated (e.g., substance use disorder). The core challenges are widespread provider shortages and a lack of quality, culturally competent care. Racial disparities are severe, as Black …
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Health System Transformation Through EMS Data Integration – for Policy Makers
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data represents a critical, yet underutilized, resource with significant potential to transform public health surveillance, support the delivery of health and social services, and improve health outcomes. Investing in the integration of this near real-time data source will provide visibility into patient needs that remain hidden in traditional clinical settings, driving better care coordination, efficiency, and …
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Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs): A brief for legislators
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are powerful intermediaries between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, insurers, and patients. They negotiate rebates and manage prescription benefits for nearly all Americans with drug coverage. While PBMs were created to streamline claims and control costs, concerns have grown about opaque pricing, market concentration, and their impact on patients and independent pharmacies. Key Findings 1. What PBMs do …
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The 340B drug pricing program in Michigan: A brief for legislators
The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program allows safety-net providers to buy outpatient drugs at reduced prices and reinvest the savings to serve low-income and uninsured patients. In Michigan, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers use these funds to sustain vital services—from behavioral health and maternity care to discounted prescriptions. While widely used, the program continues to draw debate around transparency, …
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Access to health care in Michigan: A brief for legislators
The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) has released an issue brief focused on access to health care. The brief, titled “Access to Health Care in Michigan,” describes barriers that affect health care access in the state. Health insurance coverage is a central element improving access to care, but insurance coverage alone is not sufficient to ensure access. This …
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The benefits of dental health
Increasingly, researchers are illuminating the benefits of dental health. Oral health impacts overall health and dental care is vitally important to curb chronic conditions and improve the systemic health of patients. In this publication by CHRT and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, CHRT’s health policy team analyzes peer-reviewed clinical research to understand the benefits of dental health for whole …
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Michigan Medicaid: A primer
Michigan’s Medicaid program provides health insurance coverage for many low-income children and adults. It is a powerful tool for improving the health of Michiganders. In June 2024, over 2.6 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents were enrolled in Medicaid: 1.7 million adults and 946,314 children. Most of Michigan’s Medicaid costs —over 65 percent in 2024—are paid for by the federal …
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Healthcare workforce shortages in Michigan: Recommendations for recruiting and retaining talent
Like the rest of the nation, Michigan is experiencing severe workforce shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One 2023 survey showed that 86 percent of physician practices in the state reported declines in staff since the COVID-19 pandemic and another showed 27,000 hospital job openings in early 2023 – a 13 percent vacancy rate. Nearly all health roles are expected …
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