Gov. Whitmer’s Budget Protects Health Care for Millions of Michiganders
Balanced, bipartisan budget secures $2.7 billion of federal funding for health care statewide, protects core Medicaid services, keeps hospitals open and accessible for families
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted the balanced, bipartisan fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget measures to protect $2.7 billion of core Medicaid services for Michiganders. As every state grapples with recent federal changes to health care, the bipartisan state budget ensures Michigan’s health system is prepared and can continue delivering quality, affordable care.
“The balanced, bipartisan budget I signed will protect access to health care for millions of Michiganders and ensure our hospitals have the resources they need to stay open and keep serving patients,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we face huge federal cuts that threaten to destabilize health care, we’re being strategic and proactive in Michigan to protect funding and stay flexible for the future. Together, we will defend access to care for families and maintain a balanced, fiscally responsible budget. I’m grateful to our partners for working together to get this right for Michigan.”
“The signing of this bill guarantees that our community’s most vulnerable individuals will maintain access to essential healthcare and medications,” said Denise Crawford, President & CEO of Family Health Center. “We sincerely thank Governor Whitmer for prioritizing the health and well-being of Michigan’s most at-risk families. This legislation ensures that 27,000 Medicaid adults, seniors, and children will continue to receive the high-quality healthcare they deserve. On behalf of the entire healthcare community, we commend Governor Whitmer for her commitment to preserving access to compassionate, patient-centered care for those we serve.”
“Medicaid and health care are vital to supporting our residents and our economy, keeping people healthy, lowering costs, protecting and creating jobs, and maintaining access to care, especially in rural communities,” said state Senator Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). “While partisan fights over health care continue at the federal level, I am proud that we have been able to work together across the aisle to support Medicaid and health care throughout my time in the Legislature, from expanding Medicaid in 2013 to defending and protecting it today.”
“As the only medical doctor in the Legislature, my top budget priority was protecting Medicaid,” said state Rep. Matt Longjohn (D-Portage). “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is destabilizing our health system, raising premiums, and making care less accessible. Michigan’s new budget ensures we’re doing everything possible to keep Medicaid and our health system intact. I’m grateful the Governor and her team held the line against partisan attacks, and I was proud to work alongside them to get this done.”
To comply with new regulatory requirements recently adopted at the federal level, the legislation updates the state’s existing tax on certain health care providers. By updating the state’s insurance provider assessment to comply with this new regulatory landscape, the budget preserves current revenue amounts and maintains funding for health care providers statewide.
The administration will continue working with legislators, providers, insurers, and federal partners to deliver solutions that support Michigan’s hospitals and uphold Medicaid coverage for those who need it.