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Health advocates urge Washtenaw County to place a November 2026 millage on the ballot
Summary
Multiple public commenters, including Washtenaw Health Project leaders and community trustees, urged commissioners to let voters decide on a small millage to preserve coverage for an estimated 15,000–18,000 residents at risk from federal Medicaid and subsidy changes.
Several long-time county health advocates asked the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on March 18 to put a millage to fund the Washtenaw Health Project (WHP) on the November 2026 ballot.
"I'm here tonight to speak in support of putting a millage on the November 2026 ballot," said Ellen Rabinowitz, the founding executive director of the WHP and a former county public health officer, who told commissioners that upward of "15,000 to 18,000 county residents could lose health care coverage" because of federal Medicaid cuts and subsidy reductions. She called the situation "a health care access catastrophe" and urged the board to give voters the choice to shore up local coverage.
David Barty, a Washtenaw Community College trustee, and Bob King, a longtime Ann Arbor resident and health-care advocate, reiterated the appeal during public comment, saying a small, locally approved millage would help economically distressed residents who lose coverage. Barty said placing a millage on the ballot would allow residents "to take the courageous step of working together to make our entire community healthier and stronger." King framed the request as a local response to federal policy changes that he said threaten coverage for tens of thousands of residents.
Commissioners acknowledged the urgency and said staff will continue to explore options. Commissioner Justin Hodge thanked the advocates and said the board is "exploring ways to continue investing in community violence interruption work" and is "glad people are talking about" the millage as one of several possible solutions.
Why it matters: Commissioners will decide whether to advance placing a ballot question before voters. Supporters say local funding would protect residents at immediate risk of losing coverage and stabilize community health safety-net services; opponents or skeptical residents may weigh tax impacts and alternatives.
What comes next: Commissioners did not take a final vote on a millage at the March 18 meeting. Staff and advocates signaled continued planning and outreach; commissioners asked staff to report back with options for formal consideration and potential ballot timing.
