Calls for Policy Change to Protect Employers and Families Struggling to Afford Healthcare Costs
CONTACT: Stacy Leick, 989.600.9928, contact@mihpc.org
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition (MIHPC) has released a new research report examining the rising costs of employer-sponsored healthcare in Michigan. Over four million Michigan citizens are covered by employer-sponsored plans and rising healthcare costs have placed considerable stress on working families and employers.
On average, 9% of Michigan adults or 690,000 people, report having medical debt in a given year, and over 60% of individuals report being worried about their ability to afford unexpected medical bills. Included in the report is data from Altarum’s Consumer Healthcare Experience, reporting that 51% of Michigan adults had skipped or postponed health care—including needed dental care, recommended medical tests or treatments, filling prescriptions, having a procedure, and accessing mental healthcare or treatment—because of the cost. These high prices lead Michiganders to delay or avoid receiving the care they need altogether, which poses clear risks to public health.
“Over half of those participating in employer-sponsored plans report anxiety about their ability to afford medical bills, as well as skipping or postponing the care they need,” said Bret Jackson, President of MIHPC. “The risk to public health and the cost to our business economy is too high to continue waiting for action. Michigan families are hurting and now is the time for the legislature to impose policies that will lower the cost of healthcare.”
Within the data, MIHPC reports that 81% of Michiganders expressed the opinion that the healthcare system needs substantial changes, and 91% emphasized the importance of elected leaders and government officials in the state taking proactive measures to address and reduce healthcare costs.
MIHPC is calling on several legislative actions aimed at reducing healthcare costs without jeopardizing quality or access. The key areas include:
Banning Anti-Competitive Practices: The aim is to promote fair competition and protect consumer well-being in the healthcare market by preventing anti-competitive practices in contracts between health insurance carriers and healthcare providers.
Banning Facility Fees: Eliminate the hidden fees that contribute to skyrocketing healthcare prices.
Oversight of Mergers and Acquisitions: This is designed to increase transparency, safeguard competition, and ensure that mergers and acquisitions benefit the public.
Hospital Price Transparency: To promote greater transparency in hospital pricing and protect patients' rights. It prohibits hospitals that do not comply with existing price transparency laws from collecting debts related to any items or services provided to patients during the period of non-compliance.
“MIHPC is dedicated to making healthcare more affordable for Michigan families and employers. The continuous increase in costs cannot continue,” said Jackson. “Public support for change to our current healthcare systems in Michigan is overwhelming, and it is up to lawmakers in Lansing to get to work for the employers and employees in Michigan.”
Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition (MIHPC) is a 501(c)(4) statewide coalition dedicated to mobilizing employers, families, and healthcare stakeholders to address critical issues in Michigan's health care system. For more information, please visit mihpc.org.
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