HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2013.05.09 - 20804Miscellaneous Resolution 413112
BY: Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, District 13; Commissioner Bill Dwyer,
District 14; and Commissioner Helene Zack, District 18
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR MEDICAID REFORM IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS Governor Rick Snyder has endorsed and included the reform of Medicaid
coverage in his FY2014 proposed state budget- citing significant savings to the
state budget, increased access for the uninsured and a positive economic impact to
the state; and
WHEREAS Governor Snyder has also proposed setting aside a portion of the
approximately $1.1 billion dollar savings to the state over a ten year period into
a fund to offset costs to the state in the future;
WHEREAS the proposed Medicaid reform is estimated to grant health care eligibility
to an approximately 1.2 million people, providing coverage for an additional
620,000 Hichiganders and greatly reduce the number of the uninsured; and
WHEREAS approximately 12% of Oakland County are uninsured without access to private
or public health care coverage according to a recent study conducted by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health
Institute; and
WHEREAS an estimated 42,000 to 54,000 Oakland County working residents currently
unable to obtain coverage will benefit from the proposed Medicaid reform; and
WHEREAS a recent study conducted by the RAND Foundation found that uninsured
individuals who were granted Medicaid coverage experienced significantly better
physical and mental health as well as greater financial security; and
WHEREAS the economic impact to Michigan is estimated to provide a 10 year aggregate
savings in the range of $640 to $985 million dollars in costs to employers and
individuals who currently purchase health insurance; and
WHEREAS it is estimated that Medicaid reform will create 18,000 new health care
jobs and generate $2.1 billion dollars in economic activity in Michigan; and
WHEREAS the cost of uncompensated care to Michigan hospitals is estimated to be
more than $880 million dollars annually resulting in a cost shift of up to $1,000
annually for insurance coverage for a family of four; and
WHEREAS a recent Jackson Hewitt study shows employers will be forced to pay
penalties for their low-income employees who could have received Medicaid under
this reform, causing tax penalties on Michigan employers by $54 to $21 million each
year; and
WHEREAS County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has highlighted the importance of the
emerging health care sector for economic growth and job creation. in Oakland County;
and
WHEREAS a quarter of Oakland County's top 25 employers are hospitals, the largest
employer in Oakland County is a health care provider and in the past five years
Medical Main Street has helped create 33 health care related companies to locate or
expand in Oakland County, resulting in $851 million in new investment and 4,800 new
jobs; and
WHEREAS Medicaid reform will promote the growth of the health care industry and
strengthen job growth. in Oakland County; and
WHEREAS recent polling shows broad support for Medicaid reforr. in Michigan; and
WHEREAS numerous organizations have indicated their support of Medicaid reform in
Michigan, including AARP of Michigan, American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network, American Heart Association - Michigan Chapter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan, Delta Dental of Michigan, MARO, Michigan Academy of Family Physicians,
Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards, Michigan Association of
Health Plans, Michigan Association for Local Public Health, Michigan Association of
United Ways, Michigan. College of Emergency Physicians, Michigan Dental Association,
Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Michigan League for Public Policy, Michigan
Oral Health Coalition, Michigan Osteopathic Association, Michigan Pharmacists
Association, Michigan Primary Care Association, Michigan State Medical Society,
Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network, National Kidney Foundation of
Michigan and Small Business Association of Michigan; and
WHEREAS the law enforcement organization Fight Crime: Invest in Rids Michigan led
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by more than 400 Michigan sheriffs, police chiefs, prosecutors and victims of
violence have encouraged support for Medicaid reform; and
WHEREAS a study of the Perry Preschool in Ypsilanti, Michigan, showed that children
without health care coverage were five times more likely to be chronic law
offenders by age 27 than those who had coverage. Similarly, studies of the Chicago
Child Parent Center early education programs showed that kids left out of health
care coverage were 70 percent more likely to have been arrested for a violent crime
by age 18 than those who had coverage; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
fully endorses Medicaid reform in Michigan to include individuals earning up to
138% of the federal poverty level and urges the approval of the Governor's proposal
as outlined in his FY 2014 budget.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners strongly
urges the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan legislature to support Medicaid
expansion outlined in the Governor's proposal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners directs its
legislative lobbyists to educate and inform legislators of the positive economic,
public health and budgetary impact Medicaid reform would have for Oakland County
citizens and employers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested
to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Governor Rick Snyder, the Oakland
County delegation. to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties
and the Oakland County legislative lobbyists.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing
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Resolution #13112 May 9, 2013
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.