Michigan Cuts Michigan Health and Human Services Budget to Zero

Michigan Families with Disabilities Deserve Better

The Michigan House of Representatives just passed a budget proposal that zeroes out the entire Health and Human Services budget. That includes eliminating funding on paper for critical programs such as Medicaid waivers, mental health care, behavioral support services, and all programs that help individuals with developmental disabilities live meaningful lives.

This is not an exaggeration. The proposed budget for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for 2025 is currently set at zero dollars.

And this is not a federal issue.

This is not about Trump.

This is not about Washington DC.

This is about Michigan.

This decision was made by the people we elected to represent us in Lansing.

These are our politicians. Our state leaders.

They are the ones putting children and adults with disabilities in jeopardy.

Why would they zero out the entire Health and Human Services budget? It is a political tactic. This strategy is often used to force negotiations or draw attention to internal disagreements between lawmakers. But when they use this approach with something as essential as services for our most vulnerable citizens, the message is clear:

We are being used as bargaining chips.

Our children with disabilities are being used for leverage.

And here’s the most alarming part ~ no one told us. Where was the public statement? Where was the warning to families who rely on these services? Why wasn’t this all over the news?

Because they did not want you to know.Because if you knew, you might have said something. This shows us one thing loud and clear—we are not the priority.

But we should be. And it is up to us to demand it.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Contact your Michigan House Representative and State Senator! Tell them to immediately restore the Health and Human Services budget. Tell them to protect funding for Medicaid waivers, mental health care, and services for people with developmental disabilities. Ask why this decision was not communicated publicly!

2. Share this message with other families and organizations across Michigan! Make this post go viral or write your own post! Share it! Like it! Write your thoughts and emotions. TAG your representatives! If you are part of the disability community, now is the time to stand together.

3. Support a nonpartisan voice like the Work and Play Disability Community Center. THIS IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY WE EXIST. We are not funded by political interests or controlled by government contracts. We are here to protect families and speak up when no one else will!

4. Become a Gold Member for $20 a month or $240 a year. This helps us continue to educate families, advocate for disability rights, and create inclusive community programming. Scholarships are availableVisit www.workandplaycenter.org to join.

If you have ever wondered where we rank on Michigan’s priority list ... now you know. We are not being seen. We are not being heard. We are not being protected.

That is why Work and Play exists.

To be a watchdog.

To be a voice.

To speak truth when others are quiet.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!

Do not wait. Speak up. Share. Contact your lawmakers. Help us protect our kids before more harm is done.

FIND THE BILL HERE: FY 2025-26: GENERAL OMNIBUS BUDGET Summary: House Passed House Bill 4161

IN RESPONSE TO SOME QUESTIONS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA: Governor Whitmer is currently fighting against proposed federal Medicaid cuts being discussed in Congress, which could reduce federal funding to Michigan by billions of dollars over the next decade. She recently signed an executive directive asking the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to prepare a report outlining how those federal cuts would harm children, seniors, and people with disabilities across the state. However, that issue is entirely separate from what is happening in the Michigan House of Representatives.

What we are talking about is a state-level decision made by Michigan legislators. On March 6, the House passed a version of the state budget that, on paper, zeroed out all funding for the Department of Health and Human Services for FY 2025–26. This includes programs that fund Medicaid waivers, mental health services, and supports for people with developmental disabilities. While this may be a procedural strategy during budget negotiations, it still sends a dangerous message and creates unnecessary fear and instability for Michigan families.

So yes! Governor Whitmer is speaking out about federal threats to Medicaid, but the issue we are raising is a separate state-level decision made by Michigan’s own lawmakers. Both situations affect the same vulnerable populations, but they are different fights and both deserve immediate public attention.