Michigan Democrats Continue Attack On Mike Rogers' Medicaid Stance, Warn Of Rural Hospital Closures

Michigan Advance

August 28, 2025

Michigan Democrats joined with health care professionals this week to warn that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers’ support for Medicaid cuts would endanger health coverage for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders and put rural hospitals at risk of closure.

Rogers, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is the lone Republican candidate ahead of the August 2026 primary and is considered a key to the GOP holding on to control of the U.S. Senate in the midterm elections.

During a virtual press conference Wednesday hosted by the Michigan Democratic Party, state Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee, joined three physicians in condemning Rogers’ support for GOP-backed tax and health care policies that would significantly reduce Medicaid funding.

“Mike Rogers is campaigning on Medicaid cuts that put hundreds of Michiganders in danger of losing their healthcare and risk rural hospital closures throughout the state,” Hertel said. “His toxic agenda represents a fundamental threat to our families’ health and economic security and Michigan’s rural communities.”

In response, Rogers’ campaign pushed back, arguing that reforms are needed to prevent misuse of public programs.

“If the Democrats cared about protecting Medicaid, they wouldn’t want able-bodied Americans and illegal aliens milking the system,” said Alyssa Brouillet, spokesperson for the Rogers campaign. “Mike Rogers will work with the President to strengthen Medicaid for the Michiganders who truly need it while continuing historic investments in rural healthcare.”

The GOP talking point that undocumented immigrants are receiving Medicaid is not based in reality, with the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy noting that not only are those who are in the country illegally ineligible for traditional Medicaid, but many legal immigrants are also unable to receive services. Additionally, a study by the Urban Institute found that just 2% of Medicaid enrollees neither worked nor were enrolled in school and reported a lack of interest in a job as a reason for not working.

Health professionals echoed Democrats’ concerns about Rogers’ position, pointing to the potential for increased costs and reduced access to care.

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