Episode 328- Michigan Health Care Affordability. with Bill G. Schuette

Michigan’s biggest challenges aren’t neatly separated into “economy” over here and “health care” over there. From the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, we sit down with Representative Bill G. Schuette of Michigan’s 95th District to connect the dots between population growth, good jobs, education outcomes, and what families experience when the health system is hard to afford.We talk about what he’s hearing from constituents who want high-quality care without the constant worry of the bill that follows. That leads us into the real-world impact of regional health systems like MyMichigan Health: not only as a major employer and economic driver, but as a lifeline for rural communities where access can depend on whether a hospital is close enough to serve people quickly and consistently.Then we get practical.  Schuette points to medical debt as a serious problem that can put a home or car at risk after an unexpected emergency, and he shares why Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and a stronger focus on preventive care can help families manage costs before a crisis hits. We also touch on the difficulty of passing policy in divisive times and why assuming good intent is still a necessary starting point if Michigan wants solutions that last.If you care about Michigan health care policy, hospital access, rural health, and smarter affordability ideas, you’ll get a clear, grounded perspective here. Subscribe, share this conversation with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the series.Support the showEngage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!