Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) talks to reporters after his second debate with U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly). Oct. 14, 2024. Photo By Jon King.
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.”
State Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) during virtual press conference concerning Mike Rogers’ stance on Medicaid cuts. Aug. 27, 2025 | Screenshot
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, 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.
“Mike Rogers’ support for these Medicaid cuts is a moral failure,” said Dr. Aisha Harris, a family physician in Flint and founder of Harris Family Health. “As physicians, we took an oath to ‘do no harm.’ Mike Rogers’ policies violate that fundamental principle.”
Dr. Aisha Harris, a family physician in Flint during virtual press conference concerning Mike Rogers’ stance on Medicaid cuts. Aug. 27, 2025 | Screenshot
Dr. Warren Lanphear, an emergency physician in Grand Rapids and past president of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians, warned that Medicaid cuts would burden working families and benefit the wealthy.
“Mike Rogers’ reckless agenda will drive up costs for Michigan families while padding the pockets of millionaires like himself,” Lanphear said. “Our patients and our communities can’t afford Mike Rogers’ Medicaid cuts.”
According to the Michigan Democratic Party, Rogers’ support for the Republican tax and spending law known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, includes $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, potentially slashing health care coverage for hundreds of thousands across the state. The party also cited projections of a 15% increase in health care premiums and nearly $1 billion in lost revenue for Michigan hospitals if the policy were enacted.
Rogers, a former U.S. Representative from mid-Michigan, is seeking a return to Washington as he campaigns for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), former gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed and research specialist Rachel Howard are seeking the Democratic nomination.
The Cook Political Report currently ranks the race as a “toss up”.
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