State Representative Matt Longjohn

1 week ago

Yesterday on the House Floor, I offered an amendment to HB 4838, and I am posting the video of my speech here. I am not posting it because this was my best speech ever, or because it addressed the most controversial issue happening in Lansing. I am posting it because I hope it serves as one small example of why having an MD—of any specialty or party—in legislative bodies is useful to the people they serve.

HB 4838 is intended to find a fraction of the funds needed to keep people insured as Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” places enormous pressure on our state Medicaid budget. It would require people covered by Medicaid to receive generic drugs instead of brand-name drugs whenever generics are available. The policy could produce $50 million in savings toward closing a nearly $2 billion budget gap. More than 40 states have similar laws on the books, and the best medical research shows there is very little risk to patients from this approach—except when it comes to medications with a Narrow Therapeutic Index. Following the evidence and prioritizing patient safety, red states like Kentucky and Idaho have carved these drugs out of their generics-first policies, as have blue states like Hawaii and swing states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

My amendment was not accepted by House Republicans. But this amendment—and my broader testimony—reflects the role I often find myself playing in the Legislature: translating complex medical information and research findings into policy conversations. I bring evidence, clinical context, and patient-centered considerations into debates that would not otherwise include them.

Win or lose, every day serving in the Legislature affirms my commitment to use my medical education and training—as well as the skills, knowledge, and experiences gained over my career—to improve the health and quality of life for the Michiganders and constituents I serve. ... See MoreSee Less

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State Representative Matt Longjohn

1 month ago

The House Republican budget proposal assumes that 150 full time MDHHS staff will be enough to process the surge in Medicaid and SNAP reverifications required under new federal rules. While RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz continue to withhold information that states will need to implement new work requirements under the One Big Mess, analysts expect an increase of at least 3 million redetermination cases in the coming year. Processing that volume correctly is essential to keeping people insured through Medicaid and fed through SNAP.

We may not yet know the exact staffing level this work will require—but we do know we cannot afford to be unprepared for the increased responsibility on the department or the burdens being placed on Michigan families. We should be making it as easy as possible for people who depend on Medicaid and SNAP to keep the benefits they are qualified to receive. In NO case should we be balancing the budget by making things more difficult and costly for these families.

If Medicaid recipients lose coverage due to administrative barriers, they will still need care—and often end up in emergency rooms, where treatment is far more costly. Michigan hospitals and clinics will shoulder more than $3 billion in uncompensated care over the next few years—care provided to people who deserve Medicaid coverage but won’t be reimbursed.

Your 40th House District Team, and many of our colleagues, are working hard to craft amendments to protect Michiganders from the effects of the OBBBA and the MI Republican budget. ... See MoreSee Less

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State Representative Matt Longjohn

1 month ago

After historic rainfall and severe storms across Michigan this past week, state officials placed all 83 counties under flood watch, with more heavy rain expected. Michigan State Police warned that at least six dams were at risk of failure, and Governor Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in 32 counties.

There’s no denying that climate change is playing a role. That’s why investing in climate resiliency research at MSU AgBio Research is so critical. This work helps Michigan better understand how our changing climate affects agriculture—and how farmers can adapt planting decisions, protect specialty crops, and keep our food systems resilient and stable as conditions continue to shift.

That’s what makes proposed House Republican cuts to MSU’s AgBioResearch climate resiliency efforts so concerning. At a moment when Michigan’s agriculture economy must evolve to withstand new climate realities, it makes no sense to reduce the very research helping Michigan farmers prepare, adapt, and protect one of our state’s most important economic industries. ... See MoreSee Less

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State Representative Matt Longjohn

1 month ago

Anybody who knows me knows I believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

That’s why the cuts to Rx Kids proposed by House Republicans aren’t just cruel to my constituents in Oshtemo, who only recently got the news that this program was finally launching. Pulling the rug out from under families just as they caught a glimmer of hope is wrong. These budget cuts also make no fiscal sense.

Rx Kids is already delivering real results for moms and babies and producing a significant return on investment. Every $1 invested returns up to $3 to Michigan’s economy, and improved birth outcomes are saving an estimated $6 million every year by preventing premature births, low birthweight, and costly NICU admissions. Statewide, similar outcomes could mean hundreds of millions in annual health care savings. Mothers and infants who have participated report the reduced rates of postpartum depression and attend consistent prenatal and pediatric visits.

When costs are rising everywhere and access to health care is increasingly at risk, House Democrats like me will keep fighting for proven programs like Rx Kids in this year’s budget, because early investment pays off. ... See MoreSee Less

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