Leelanau League of Women Voters examines Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare

From staff reports

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, at noon the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County will host a public forum: “Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare: What’s Ahead for Our Region?” at the Leelanau County Government Center off M-204, between Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay.

Find out how budget cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) will impact our region’s healthcare services, including our rural hospitals, mental health services, the Indian Health Service and more.

“Our rural healthcare system is highly dependent on Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance subsidies and the cuts in the OBBB will dramatically impact the financial landscape for our health services,” writes the League. “We all need to understand and prepare for the cuts ahead.”

Panelists will include: Ed Dolan, an economist with the Niskanen Center, who will give an overview of the cuts in the recently passed OBBB and their expected impact in our region; Gabe Schneider, director of Governmental Relations for Munson Healthcare; Greg McMorrow, a board member of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, and Mari Raphael, an RN from Tribal Health Services.