Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
The 2025 health insurance enrollment period is pretty hectic this year. There are a lot of changes that are happening for those with Medicaid and those with Marketplace-based insurance plans. It can be overwhelming, and there is no “right choice” for everyone -because everyone’s health needs are different.
First, if you have not heard, there is a plan to cut federal Medicaid funds because of the 2025 bill called The One Big Beautiful Bill. Medicaid is a state-based health insurance provided by the state government for low-income individuals and families, but a significant amount of the funding comes from federal support. So. the idea of cutting some of the federal Medicaid funding will impact every state in the United States. They all have some form of Medicaid insurance, even if it’s not called Medicaid.
In Michigan, our Medicaid is referred to as Michigan Medicaid and also the Healthy Michigan Plan because of an expansion plan offered.
There are many types of Medicaid plans, depending on the patient.
Cuts to Medicaid funding can mean a lot of things, but money funds a variety of healthcare and programs across the state. Medicaid cuts will result in a decrease in number of people who have health insurance, which includes men, women, children and senior citizens. Additionally, cuts will decrease in funding for community programs and resources including hospitals.
Outside of Medicaid cuts, The One Big Beautiful Bill also proposed cutting Affordable Care Act subsidies. The Affordable Care Act, also known as ACA or “Obamacare,” is a health access effort signed years ago to increase health care options for people by offering a Marketplace of health insurance options and various requirements and regulations for commercial insurances. But the 2025 bill would allow the ACA subsidies to expire, which would stop the tax credits and financial assistance provided to individuals so they can not afford the health insurance premiums, deductibles and out of pocket costs offered on the ACA Marketplace.
The financial assistance is mostly through premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions which help reduce the cost of premiums, deductibles and copays. Without this financial assistance provided by the Marketplace health insurance plans, many individuals and families will face significant financial burdens. Some people are reporting that their premium would double without the tax credits, and deductibles of thousands of dollars would be unrealistic to meet. So people are appropriately stressed right now and wondering what their health care access will look like in 2026.
The Medicaid eligibility adjustments including expansion and the ACA subsidies helped decrease the number of uninsured people in the United States. A growing concern is that, in 2026, there will be a significant increase in the number of uninsured people, which will cause an increase in health disparities, complications and death.
But, also, increases in medical debt, health care anxiety and economic instability may occur. If you are on Medicaid or an ACA Marketplace plan, make sure you understand your plan, status, and eligibility for healthcare insurance. Learn as much as you can about your plan and eligibility so you can understand all of your options.
Written by Aisha Harris, MD. Dr. Harris is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com.
Feel free to submit health questions to Dr. Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
