About Michigan

Michigan HCHCW Michigan is working to expand coverage to direct-care workers in the state through research, policy analysis and stakeholder advocacy efforts. This work includes:

  • Raising awareness on the health care needs of direct-care workers in Michigan
  • Providing policy analysis on health care proposals
  • Advocating for changes in the Medicaid reimbursement system
  • Supporting local health care reform initiatives
  • Expanding access to employer-based coverage

Raising Awareness and Research

HCHCW Michigan has developed materials (pdf) that highlight the health care needs of direct-care workers and is conducting research on the challenges that employers face in obtaining health insurance for their staff.

Employer Survey
In 2006, HCHCW Michigan surveyed long-term care employers in all sectors of long-term care to find out how many offered health insurance coverage and what kind of coverage is offered. A fact sheet (pdf)summarizing the responses and findings has been published (link to fact sheet) and will be used in upcoming advocacy efforts. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the state’s long-term care provider associations: Health Care Association of Michigan, Michigan Assisted Living Association, Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Michigan Center for Assisted Living, Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council, and the Michigan Home Health Association.

The findings along with other educational materials are disseminated by the campaign to legislators and other organizations.

Policy Analysis

HCHCW Michigan is active in policy discussions related to health care reform efforts, including the Michigan First Health Care Plan and changes to the individual health insurance market (HCHCW House and Senate testimony). This work challenges us to protect and expand the ability of direct care workers to access all public and private forms of health care insurance and coverage.

MI First Health Care Plan
The Michigan First Healthcare Plan (pdf) is Governor Jennifer Granholm’s proposal to provide coverage to uninsured individuals with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($19,700 for an individual; $40,000 for a family of four). Many direct-care workers are likely to be eligible, and HCHCW Michigan wants to ensure that the plan meets their needs.

We have advocated for affordable premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, and for a broad range of services, including physical and occupational therapy, to meet the health care needs of direct-care workers. We also support the development of a marketing and outreach strategy that reaches direct-care workers to explain the benefits of a Michigan First plan.

We have been successful in getting amendments accepted in legislation SB278 introduced by Senator Tom George-Kalamazoo) creating the MI-HEART Exchange to administer the Michigan First plan. We have developed many resources regarding the Michigan First Health Care Plan.

Negotiations with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are currently on-hold until a new administration begins in January 2009. Governor Granholm remains committed to Michigan First and is hopeful that it will be approved in 2009.

Changing the Medicaid Long-Term Care Reimbursement System

Building off of the success of other states’ ability to link Medicaid payments to long-term care organizations to health insurance coverage for direct-care workers, HCHCW Michigan is exploring that approach here.

Supporting Health Care Reform Initiatives

HCHCW Michigan is an endorser of the Health Care for Michigan Campaign. The Campaign is collecting signatures place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would require the State Legislature to take action to reform health care. The amendment would read:

The State Legislature shall pass laws to make sure every Michigan resident has affordable and comprehensive health care coverage through a fair and cost effective financing system. The legislature is required to pass a plan that, through public or private measures, controls health care costs and provides for medically necessary, preventive, primary, acute, and chronic health care needs.

The Campaign has been working diligently since January to collect 475,000 signatures to get this amendment on the November 2008 ballot. If you would like to help in collecting signatures go to www.healthcareformichigan.org for instructions on collecting signature. If you feel this is an important step in creating sustainable health care reform in Michigan, we encourage you to sign this petition and tell your friends, family, consumers, co-workers, and employees to do the same!

Expanding Employer Based Coverage

Third Share Plans
HCHCW Michigan is working with promising Third Share health care coverage plans to expand outreach to small long-term care employers. Third Share Plans divide the costs of coverage between the employer, the employee, and the county. They are an untapped resource for small long-term care employers and their employees.

Access Health in Muskegon was profiled in a recent HCHCW publication (1.63MB pdf) as an example of Third Share Plans success in providing affordable, comprehensive coverage to smaller long-term care employers and direct-care workers. Check out the story of MOKA,(pdf) an organization serving individuals with disabilities in West Michigan and how Access Health has helped them to provide coverage to direct-care workers.

Technical Assistance to Long-Term Care Employers

HCHCW Michigan also provides technical assistance to larger long-term care employers and associations interested in improving their health insurance plans to meet the needs of their direct-care staff. This includes conducting focus groups, developing staff surveys, and assessing results and providing recommendations on how employers can adjust their insurance plans to be more accessible to direct-care workers.

Stakeholders