James, Barrett, And Huizenga Voted For Medicaid Cuts — Now Health Centers Are Closing And Over 60,000 Michiganders Could Lose Access

Planned Parenthood of Michigan announced last week that its Lansing, Livonia, and Warren locations are closing. 

“Planned Parenthood is one of the places women go for affordable health care,” said Ashley, a nurse who lives in Rep. Tom Barrett’s district. “By voting for Medicaid cuts and to block Planned Parenthood’s funding, Rep. Barrett and congressional Republicans are taking health care away from women, children, people with disabilities, and low-income people who rely on Medicaid to afford going to the doctor.”

Planned Parenthood serves over 60,000 people a year in Michigan, and due to the closures, patients will face longer drives and higher costs to get the care they need. Between clinic closures and Medicaid cuts — all backed by Congressmen John James (MI-10), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), and Tom Barrett (MI-07) — hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could lose health care coverage.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan lost $4.2 million in funding because of federal policies, including a ban on Medicaid reimbursement to abortion providers. Last year, Reps. Huizenga, Barrett, and James voted for the Republican Tax Law, which blocked federal Medicaid funding for abortion providers for one year, in practice applying “almost exclusively to Planned Parenthood-affiliated providers.” Planned Parenthood gives women access to affordable reproductive care like birth control, pregnancy planning, postpartum care, and vaccines. 

On top of health center closures, Reps. James, Barrett, and Huizenga’s vote resulted in the largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s history, risking coverage for vulnerable Michiganders and threatening to shut down hundreds of hospitals. And, a judge recently rejected a pause on a harsh new rule, backed by Reps. Huizenga, Barrett, and James, that could strip Medicaid coverage away from people with serious illnesses.

Between shuttered health centers and Medicaid cuts, Michiganders will be paying more and traveling farther for care that should be accessible and affordable. Michigan Families for Fair Care will continue to call on Reps. James, Huizenga, and Barrett to reverse the cuts to Medicaid that are taking away health care from their constituents.