Wednesday, 31 January 2007
The Michigan First Health Plan
Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently outlined a new initiative to extend health coverage to uninsured and low-income residents. The Michigan First Health Plan will use government funds to help people afford private health insurance plans. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has been working with Gov. Granholm to line up Federal help for the plan as well.
Granholm’s plan takes a cue from President Bush’s health insurance proposal. Part of the President’s plan calls for providing Federal grants at the state level to help low-income individuals and families purchase private health insurance. State participation in Bush’s plan is voluntary, and any state’s proposed plan must be approved by Secretary Leavitt.
Gov. Granholm’s Michigan First Health plan hopes to improve public health and expand access to care:
- Affordable private health insurance plans for individuals and businesses
- Subsidized care
- Incentives for businesses to provide health coverage
- Promoting healthy lifestyles and improved technology
Leavitt is optimistic about Granholm’s plan.
“Our goal is to get a plan for affordable, basic insurance, accessible to every citizen in every state,” Secretary Leavitt said. “I commend the Governor for looking to market-based solutions and look forward to continuing to work with her on the details of the state’s proposal.”
The Michigan First Health Plan was a main focus of Gov. Granholm’s 2006 State of the Union speech. With Federal approval, the $1 billion plan could provide Michigan’s 550,000 uninsured residents with affordable access to private health insurance.
“We want to be partners with the Federal government to give our citizens access to affordable health insurance,” Gov. Granholm said. “Our Michigan First Healthcare Plan is intended to provide a quality product at an affordable cost, create incentives for business, and help bring down health care costs for everyone and we are pleased that Secretary Leavitt and his staff are working with us to make our plan a reality.”
Technorati Tags: Health Insurance
