MUSKEGON, MI – On Monday U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI03) announced the formation of her new Health Care Advisory Board, bringing together a group of health leaders from across West Michigan for a roundtable conversation focused on protecting access to care, advancing medical innovation, and confronting looming federal health care cuts to Medicaid, health care research, and more.
“The Health Care Advisory Board is the next step in my ongoing partnership with health care providers throughout West Michigan—one that brings together some of the most innovative and compassionate health care minds in the country who serve right here in West Michigan,” said Rep. Scholten. “At a time when leaders in Washington are pushing dangerous cuts that would kneecap our ability to prevent illness, fight disease, make progress on cancer research and save lives, I am fighting back–with my vote in Washington, and my voice back home here in West Michigan. I will keep engaging to ensure our region remains a leader in health care innovation and access.”
The roundtable today convened a broad coalition of regional medical leaders who represent institutions ranging from major medical centers to community clinics, federally qualified health centers, and individual family practices across urban and rural settings. The Advisory Board will serve as a long-term partner to Rep. Scholten, helping shape her health policy work in Washington and ensuring that the voices of health care professionals and patients across West Michigan are front and center in the fight for equitable, accessible care.
The launch comes at a critical moment. Proposed cuts to health care will slash nearly a third of the federal health budget, including a 40% cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reducing its 27 research centers to just eight. The Department of Health and Human Services also plans to cut 10,000 employees from the workforce. Additionally, an upcoming May 7 mark-up in the House will look to cut $880 billion from the Energy and Commerce budget, which covers Medicaid.
Rep. Scholten emphasized her interest in supporting safe and accessible innovation and reiterated her commitment to bringing local insights back to Congress.
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