Medicaid v. MEAP

The following represents a position approved by the MNA's Board of Directors on May 20, 2003, regarding the tobacco settlement monies and appropriate dispersion of funds.

The Michigan Nurses Association applauds the recommendation of Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan House of Representatives to maintain funding for Michigan's Medicaid program in the 2003-2004 budget at $162,500,000.

As the largest group of healthcare providers in Michigan, nurses deliver the most direct and continuous patient care in virtually every setting. We recognize the need for adequate Medicaid funding at the patient care level. Through our work every day we see and care for those struggling to maintain their health and manage illness with diminishing resources.

We also recognize that improvements to health care systems and workplaces cannot be made which will recruit and retain nurses in the workforce and improve outcomes for patients if hospitals and providers do not receive adequate compensation for the care provided.

Further reductions in funding to health care systems and people we care for would be devastating to the already fragile safety net that Michigan's Medicaid program provides.

The Michigan Nurses Association joins its partners in healthcare to support Medicaid funding as recommended in the Governor's 2003-2004 budget proposal, and is committed to working in collaboration with others to develop cost effective, quality health care for Michigan's residents.

Approved by Board of Directors: May 20, 2003

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