With all of
the changes coming from the Affordable Care Act, we are currently in the middle
of some very tense times for healthcare. No matter where your party affiliation
lies, there’s no denying that right now is an important and historic time in
this industry. We are facing a major overhaul in the way services are provided
and coverage is offered, and at the Michigan Department of Community Health, we
are busy preparing for all of the changes headed Michigan’s way.
Recently, the
Michigan legislature has made a decision on the future of an exchange in our
state and we will now be pursuing a federally run exchange. With this, our
focus at MDCH has turned to expanding Medicaid to an additional 470,000
currently uninsured Michiganders and educating our legislative partners about
the importance of this. We know that our uncompensated care costs in Michigan
have skyrocketed over the years and in turn our healthcare system has suffered.
Businesses are now facing higher healthcare premiums, and as our residents go
uninsured, our population as a whole has become much unhealthier.
Governor
Snyder is committed to an expansion of Medicaid up to 133 percent of the
federal poverty level. As a CPA, Governor Snyder made the smart decision to set
aside funds in a Health Savings Account to help run the expansion even as the
federal match declines. That said, many of the concerns we have heard around
expansion revolve around the commitment from the federal government. The good
news is that since 1966 when Medicaid began in Michigan, the federal financial
commitment has not once waivered. History is on our side and changes from the
Affordable Care Act are coming. The Governor’s proposed plan to expand Medicaid
in Michigan makes good financial sense for our economy and good physical health
sense for our residents.
Further, by
improving our healthcare system in Michigan, we know we will see improved
economic impacts as well. Healthcare is a huge economic engine. Hospitals are
big employers in our communities, good health decreases our healthcare costs
associated with chronic diseases, and wider healthcare benefits attract talent
to our state. By focusing on reinventing our healthcare system, as Governor
Snyder has charged the MDCH with doing, we can and will build a stronger
Michigan.
We are
shifting our focus from a curative model to one of prevention. Our mission at
MDCH is to protect the health, wellness, and safety of Michigan residents. In
order to do so, we have to educate them about the steps they can take to
prevent illness and disease, as well as prepare our state for any unexpected
outbreaks or health risks. Healthcare is not solely focused on coverage of
services, but also ensuring that our residents are routinely receiving checkups
to detect problems earlier, or are leading healthier, more active lifestyles to
prevent chronic diseases.
In the fall
of 2011, Governor Snyder charged the MDCH with addressing the rising obesity
rate in our state and the chronic diseases associated with obesity. Since then,
MDCH has released the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan which includes a
variety of strategies to improve the health status of Michigan residents. One
of those strategies includes an awareness campaign to educate and motivate
Michiganders.
MI Healthier
Tomorrow was designed to do just that and since its launch in January 2013,
more than 20,000 Michigan residents have pledged to lose 10 percent of their
body weight, 17,000 have opted in to receive regular health tips via email, and
20 public and private partners have joined in the effort to improve the health
and wellness of our state. An awareness campaign will not move the needle on
its own but we know that by giving Michiganders the tools, encouragement, and
motivation to make changes in their lives, we are helping them to improve their
overall physical health. You are welcome to join in our efforts for a healthier
Michigan.
In addition
to a focus on physical health, MDCH has closely been looking at the integration
of mental health and physical health care. Prevention does not just apply to a
person’s physical health and wellness. Our mental health is another critical
component to ensuring we have an overall healthy population and health
professionals recognize that we cannot treat physical and mental health
separately.
In his
proposed budget, Governor Snyder calls for $5 million in new mental health
services in the MDCH budget. With these funds, we want to place a larger focus
on the identification of mental health illness using the Mental Health First
Aid program. This program involves working with families and parents, community
leaders, clergy, and educators to identify risk factors and warning signs of
mental health illnesses. It also includes a component specific to law
enforcement so that we can place youth in appropriate treatment rather than the
jail system.
We have a
number of important health items in the Governor’s proposed budget for fiscal
year 2014 as mentioned above, and MDCH is working daily to educate both our
legislative partners and Michigan residents about the critical importance of
good overall health and wellness. Rising healthcare costs affect every Michigan
citizen. Even the business community has begun to recognize the importance of
good health for their employees and its effect on their bottom line. Employers
can influence their healthcare costs and slow their growth by focusing on the
health and wellness of their employees and encouraging healthy behaviors.
This also
means that Michigan needs healthier communities with quality health and
wellness opportunities, but our hospitals cannot do this alone. In our local
communities, we need to activate better urban and rural planning that
incorporates activity into health. Gyms, buildings, parks, schools, and
shopping areas must encourage and welcome social motivation and activity.
A strong
health infrastructure is critical to an overall strong state and we all need to
be a part of the conversation as Michigan moves forward. To see the progress
MDCH continues to make or what you can do to help, visit our website at www.michigan.gov/mdch.
For more information about Governor Snyder’s proposed budget and the important
health measures included in it including Medicaid expansion, visit www.michigan.gov/mibudget2014.
With all of
the changes we are facing in the healthcare industry today, now is not the time
to sit by and wait for the changes to sort themselves out. We need to be active
in shaping the growth and future of Michigan. As Governor Snyder has said, a
healthier Michigan is a stronger Michigan, and we truly can improve both our economy
and healthcare system by working together.