Holland Reporter

Matt Hall, a State Representative from Michigan, said that Medicaid occupies a significant portion of the state budget and requires reform to prevent misuse and safeguard resources for those in need. The statement was made on the social media platform X.

"More than 30% (and growing) of Michigan's state budget goes to Medicaid," said Matthew Richard Hall, Michigan State Representative for 42nd District (R). "Medicaid is supposed to be a safety net for those truly in need, not a catch-all program open to abuse. No work requirements in place for able-bodied adults. Under the Value for MI Dollars Budget, we're rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse so that Medicaid remains strong for those who truly need it!"

In 2024, Michigan lawmakers engaged in discussions over Medicaid reforms while approving the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget. This budget fully funded the program and increased provider reimbursements, including an allocation of $40 million for federally qualified health centers. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration highlighted the importance of maintaining coverage during the Medicaid "unwinding" period while investing in access and rate adjustments, as reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The FY25 Medicaid budget for Michigan amounts to approximately $27.8 billion, with about 70% of funding provided by the federal government. This funding covers around 2.6 million residents. Provider tax financing supports the state's share, making Medicaid one of the largest components of Michigan’s health and human services spending, according to the department.

Michigan's Medicaid enrollment trends are consistent with other Midwestern states: approximately 2.6 million residents were enrolled by mid-2024. Nationally, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment declined by 17% from March 2023 peaks but remained 9% above February 2020 levels. These figures reflect post-pandemic unwinding patterns across both the Midwest and the United States, according to KFF’s Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker.

Representative Hall, a Republican from Southwest Michigan, has served in the state House since 2019. He rose to leadership as Minority Leader from 2023 to 2024 before becoming Speaker in 2025. His official biography notes that his policy priorities include fiscal restraint, regulatory reform, and economic development.