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A new report estimates tens of thousands of Michigan residents could lose Medicaid coverage once the state’s work requirements go into effect next year.
Policy experts and community advocates say that could have serious impacts on Medicaid members, hospitals and Michigan’s economy.
Manatt Health, a professional services firm that’s part of Los Angeles-based law firm Manatt, Phelps & Philips, released a report Wednesday predicting between 61,000 and 183,000 people covered by the Healthy Michigan Plan — between 9% and 27% of recipients — could lose coverage in a one-year period once the work requirements kick in.
That estimate is higher than a House Fiscal Agency analysis that forecast Healthy Michigan enrollment reductions of 4% to 8%. The agency estimated the requirement would save the state between $7 and $22 million per year.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is still analyzing the impact work requirements will have on Healthy Michigan beneficiaries, department spokesman Bob Wheaton said in an email.
