LANSING, Mich., Aug. 26, 2026 — State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and state Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) introduced legislation this week to create a Medicaid buy-in program to make affordable healthcare available for more Michiganders. House Bill 6274 and its companion, Senate Bill 1152, would enable Michiganders earning between 138-200% of the federal poverty level to enroll in the program, giving working class families who don’t typically qualify for Medicaid assistance a more cost-effective alternative to other marketplace plans.
“Health premiums are skyrocketing and too often workers on the frontlines of the construction, food service and home care industries are forced to budget out the largest percentage of their paycheck just to keep their families covered,” Xiong said. “Our legislation gives hardworking Michiganders who don’t qualify for public healthcare assistance programs an affordable option. No matter what job or industry someone works in or income level, they deserve access to healthcare.”
Similar Medicaid buy-in legislation, otherwise known as a Basic Health Program (BHP), has been implemented by three other states and Washington, D.C., through the use of federal funding.
“Michiganders are already stretched thin with ever-increasing costs,” Cherry said. “Our constituents should never have to choose between keeping food on the table or seeking care. With the introduction of this legislation, we take an important step toward reducing healthcare costs for those individuals stuck at wit’s end in the marketplace.”
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