Medicaid expansion opponents rally in Harvey

Opponents of the plan to expand Medicaid coverage in Michigan held a rally in Harvey this afternoon.

Arizona and Maine enacted similar expansions about ten years ago, and the group Americans For Prosperity-Michigan says expansion did not lower the uninsured rate in those states.

The group also says uncompensated care costs increased.

“The governor would try to couch this in terms of reform, but the only reason we’re here today is because Obamacare passed, and Medicaid expansion is a key component of implementing Obamacare here in the state of Michigan,” Americans For Prosperity-Michigan state director Scott Hagerstrom said.

Governor Rick Snyder visited the U.P. in July to say that he supports the proposed expansion.

Supporters have said it would save the state more than $200 million per year.

“That savings is just in the first three years, but after that it requires Michigan to chip in to pay for this, and the governor would supposedly have a lockbox to take those savings and then pay for the program up to 2035,” Hagerstrom said. “However, we know what politicians do with lockboxes. They break into them and spend the money, so eventually it’s going to result in higher taxes or cuts in services to other government agencies.”

Americans For Prosperity-Michigan has also visited Sault Ste. Marie, Escanaba, Menominee, Iron Mountain, Ironwood and Houghton this week.