LANSING, MI (MPRN)-- The state Legislature is getting closer to requiring that people in the Healthy Michigan insurance program work to get those benefits.
The bill is now one vote away from the governor’s desk.
Those in favor say it’s a good way to get more people working and help them be self-sufficient, but opponents of the measure say it flies in the face of the spirit of Healthy Michigan – they say healthcare is a right and people shouldn’t be required to work for it.
Democratic Representative David LeGrand voted against the bill.
“Today’s legislation is doubling down on a bad linkage between health care and employment. And uses health care not as a tool of compassion, but of coercion.”
Now, the work requirement would only apply to people in the Healthy Michigan Program. That’s a subset of Medicaid. It would also require a person work, be in job training, or go to school for 80 hours a month. Previously, the requirement was for 29 hours a week.