Gov. Jennifer Granholm said today the new national health reform will benefit Michigan immensely, and that critics of the law are spreading misinformation partly by Republicans for political gain.
Granholm, speaking at Sparrow Hospital with staff physicians in support, said 370,000 Michiganders – about one-third of the medically uninsured population – will become eligible for Medicaid this year, fully paid for by the federal government until 2014, when it will pay 90% of the cost.
She cited a 35% tax credit for small businesses that provide health insurance for employees, more preventive care and nearly one million young adults ages 19-26 who could qualify for their parents insurance as key reasons to like the new law.
“We’re going to see a complete paradigm shift in how this shapes health care to focus on prevention of illness rather than just treating it on the back side,” Granholm said. “It certainly will be helpful for those who want to seek affordable health care options and want to have control of their health care.”
Granholm said some opponents of the bill want to score political points by trying to deny President Barack Obama “a win” from the new law. She said the new law will create more jobs in Michigan, curb rising health care costs, and that the public will warm up to it when it learns more about positive effects.
“It’s a very good deal for Michigan and our health care coverage,” she said.
Granholm signed an order creating a state council to coordinate how the new health insurance law is put into place at the state level. The chair is Janet Olszewski, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health.
The executive order also designates the state insurance commissioner as insurance ombudsman to help consumers shift through the new health care and handle complaints. The commissioner currently is Ken Ross, director of the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation.
Granholm said the state will actually save money under the new law because of better management of health care for Medicaid recipients. Currently, about 1.8 million Michiganders, mostly children, receive Medicaid-paid care. The new law will add many adults who cannot qualify under current rules.
Dr. Stephen Guertin, director of Sparrow Hospital’s children’s center, said the new health insurance system will mean better care for children of low-income families who often bypass needed medical care because of high co-payments and other accompanying expenses.
Granholm has been at odds with state Attorney General Mike Cox, who has joined 13 other states in a lawsuit to overturn portions of the new law. Granholm said Cox has agreed not to state that he represents the state of Michigan, but is acting on his own.
Cox said he will continue the lawsuit on behalf of the people of Michigan, rather than the state, for which Granholm is the chief executive.
Source:freep.com/CHRIS CHRISTOFF
