MBIPC Calls on Lawmakers to End Michigan’s Catastrophic Care CrisisFollowing Memorial Honoring Lives Lost Due to Disrupted Care
MBIPC Calls on Lawmakers to End Michigan’s Catastrophic Care Crisis Following Memorial Honoring Lives Lost Due to Disrupted Care
Judd: These deaths were preventable
BRIGHTON, Mich.—(March 2, 2022)—The Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC) today called on the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to take immediate action to end the Michigan catastrophic care crisis, following a memorial service held yesterday to commemorate five lives lost as a result of the 45% cut in care went into effect in July 2021.
“On March 1, 2022, respect was paid at Lansing Central United Methodist Church to five individuals who paid the ultimate price for continued inaction,” MBIPC president Tom Judd said. “Family members, friends, caregivers, and clergy came together to remember, honor and celebrate the lives of James Bourdage, Richard Shueneman, Sandra Cain, Susan Ann Meagher, and a 69-year old woman from southwest Michigan whose lifelong preference for privacy was respected. These five beautiful, inspiring, and courageous human beings overcame devastating impacts of a catastrophic car crash. However, they couldn’t overcome the challenges when their care was taken away due to the auto no-fault reform. These deaths were preventable.”
Prior to the implementation of the draconian fee cap system that reduced reimbursement for certain essential rehabilitation care by nearly half, voices calling for pre-emptive action to prevent the #MICareCrisis were told that no changes would be made until “data” could be reviewed. Crash victims, families, and caregivers warned very clearly that the data being referenced would be people’s lives and livelihoods – but they were ignored.
According to a study conducted by the nonprofit public health institute MPHI, within the first 4 months of implementation of the fee cap system, over 1,500 crash victims had their care disrupted and over 3,000 Michigan healthcare workers lost their jobs.
Yet, to this point, that data has not been enough to effectuate urgent changes to the law, and the #MICareCrisis continues as more people suffer, Judd said.
“It is well past time for the Legislature and Governor Whitmer to stop listening to the lobby arm of big auto insurance, which refuses to recognize the lives being impacted by this aspect of the auto insurance law,” Judd said. “It is time for policy makers to listen to the voices of the families of James, Richard, Sandra, Susan and all other crash victims that are enduring unnecessary suffering. It is time to listen to the care providers who are on the verge of complete collapse, resulting in more people losing their care. These people are not data points and they shouldn’t have to wait any longer. There is still an opportunity to make the small but necessary changes to restore the care crash victims and their families need and deserve.”