MI GOP joins DOGE crusade to gut MDHHS funding with destructive, irresponsible budget plan

 

LANSING, Mich., March 28, 2025 — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut more than $390 million in federal grants to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) this week, threatening public health services and jeopardizing thousands of public sector jobs in the state. The cuts are part of DOGE’s crusade to slash more than $11 billion nationwide in Health and Human Services grants this week.

“While we await confirmation from the Department on this past week’s potential $390 million in cuts by federal administration to MDHHS grants, I would like to uplift the same statement I have been consistently saying this year, which is that many in Michigan are already struggling to get by with increased costs to everything from health care to groceries,” said state Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo). “These draconian cuts to programs like Medicaid will impact prenatal care for pregnant mothers, newborn babies who need their check-ups, and life-saving mental health care for those who struggle with severe depression or addiction. These funding slashes cannot come at a worse time, with measles and influenza on the rise. We must protect funding for the health of our most vulnerable, from babies to the elderly.”

The hit to federal public health funding comes as Michigan House Republicans passed their Republican budget that would gut state funding to MDHHS as well as to Medicaid, stripping health care for 2.7 million Michiganders. This double hit to MDHHS funding could force Michiganders to pay even more to keep their families healthy. 

“It is clear that the federal and state Republican agendas are one in the same: make Americans and Michiganders less healthy and safe, just to make the billionaires in the White House richer. It’s the same playbook in Lansing as it is in DC  — defund Health and Human Services, deprioritize public health, and abandon middle-class and working Michiganders,” said state Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor). “No matter what way you spin it, Michigan does not have the financial reserves to make up for these life-threatening federal cuts. But Michigan Democrats have been and will continue sounding the alarm about the attacks on our health and health care, because we’ve seen that our collective pushing back has reversed some of these terrible and poorly thought-out decisions from DC. It’s disappointing that Michigan Republicans aren’t joining us in pushing back, even though their constituents will be just as hurt as the rest of us.”

While Congress initially authorized this funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, states have relied on the remaining grant money for other public health programs, including to combat new infectious diseases and provide mental health and addiction support services. The Republican budget could also jeopardize MDHHS services that families and kids across the state rely on, including child health and care assistance programs.

“Budgets begin with those things that matter most, like affordable healthcare.  Clearly supporting families and the most vulnerable in our communities didn’t make my Republican colleagues’ priority list based on their budget,” said state Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit). “Cutting funding to MDHHS is anti-family and anti-worker. Michigan’s kids, the future generation of leaders in our state whose health and childhood depend on the MDHHS’ ability to support them, need lawmakers who prioritize their health and wellbeing. House Democrats have and will continue to answer the call for fairness and equity.”

With Michigan recently confirming new cases of bird flu and measles, this funding loss may also prove detrimental to the state’s ability to immediately respond to diseases and outbreaks.

“The health and health care of millions of Michigan families are being targeted by Republicans in DC and Lansing. These Republicans have lost their minds. In what world is it OK to put the health and welfare of millions of Michigan families at risk in order to pay for tax cuts to billionaires or score political points in the state budget process? Their crazy and chaotic cuts are putting us all at risk by ripping away federal funding for MDHHS, eliminating programs which save lives, threatening the ability of seniors to be able to afford long-term care, and increasing the chances that clinics and hospitals will have to close their doors,” said state Rep. Dr. Matt Longjohn (D-Portage). “Make no mistake: the chaos at the federal level is only being made worse by the actions of Republicans in Lansing. It is unconscionable that Republicans in the House are willing to play politics with peoples’ lives and pass a budget which will reduce the access to health care services for 2.7 million Michiganders. Every person needs and deserves a government that puts their health first, before party politics and before wealthy influence.”

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