house Concurrent Resolution No.17

Reps. Sheppard, Bellino, VanSingel, LaFave, Marino, Bollin, Wakeman, Glenn, Green, Rendon and Webber offered the following concurrent resolution:

A concurrent resolution to urge the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to appeal the federal court ruling invalidating the waiver for Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements, defend the waiver, and uphold its intended purpose of encouraging self-sufficiency.

Whereas, In 2018, Governor Rick Snyder signed into law workforce engagement requirements for Michigan’s Medicaid expansion program, the Healthy Michigan Plan. Michigan subsequently received approval for a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, allowing the state to move forward with implementation of the requirements; and

Whereas, The intent of the legislation was to "assist, encourage, and prepare an able-bodied adult for a life of self-sufficiency and independence from government interference." To maintain health insurance coverage, the act requires Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries to report an average of at least 80 hours monthly of work or other qualifying activities or meet the criteria for an exemption; and

Whereas, The Healthy Michigan Plan work requirements went into effect on January 1, 2020, but a ruling by a federal judge invalidated the waiver for the work requirements on March 4, 2020, blocking its enforcement; and

Whereas, Maintaining a strong workforce engagement policy for government-funded health care is integral to ensuring the responsible stewardship of public funds. Hardworking taxpayers expect able-bodied adults receiving government assistance to work or otherwise be on the path to achieving self-sufficiency. Encouraging people to find a job or pursue activities that improve work readiness, such as education or job training, is beneficial to the state of Michigan as a whole. Work requirements hold Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries accountable and help them reach their full potential as productive citizens of this state; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services to appeal the federal court ruling invalidating the waiver for Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements, defend the waiver, and uphold its intended purpose of encouraging self-sufficiency; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Michigan congressional delegation.