LANSING, Mich. – Despite the enactment of no-fault auto reforms by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, advocates in Michigan assert that the state’s care crisis persists, with little resolution despite legislative activity over the past year.
Annabelle Marsh, a resident of Michigan, shared her story at the Michigan Capitol last November alongside her mother Brandi, illustrating the dire need for policy changes to access adequate care. “I’m in a wheelchair because I got in a car accident when I was three,” Annabelle recounted.
Brandi echoed her daughter’s sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of reform: “I mean, we’ve watched our friends lose care; we’ve watched them in and out of the hospital, and we’ve watched them die. It’s inevitable that if it does not change, it will be us, and I can’t tell you how that feels as a mom.”
The no-fault auto reforms, implemented in 2022, aimed primarily at reducing insurance costs in Michigan. However, they also introduced alterations in the reimbursement structure for care providers, leading to a near doubling in the cost of care.
Despite efforts to address the issue within the legislature, the underlying care crisis remains unresolved, leaving individuals like Annabelle and her family grappling with inadequate access to essential services. As advocates continue to push for meaningful reforms, the urgency of the situation underscores the need for decisive action to ensure equitable access to care for all residents of Michigan.
