The Impacts of Medicaid Expansion in Michigan

By Consumers For Quality Care, on October 27, 2021

According to a new study reported by Health Payer Intelligence, Medicaid expansion in Michigan has dramatically improved the physical health of many vulnerable populations, while also shifting care away from more costly sites of care such as emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and walk-in clinics.

Before Medicaid was expanded, nearly 75 percent of consumers previously not covered under Medicaid reported not having regular access to health care. Nearly a quarter of respondents said going to the emergency room or other urgent care clinic was their only reliable source of care.

After expansion, 90 percent of all respondents reported having regular access to care. This is crucial for managing chronic illness or preventing serious complications. In many cases, the location of regular care was more likely to be at doctors’ offices, versus higher-cost options like an emergency room. Many respondents also reported an improvement in their health status.

CQC urges state lawmakers to protect Medicaid and work to expand access to this vital social safety net for our most vulnerable populations.