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Gretchen Whitmer: “Last year we wiped out medical debt for 210,000 people.”

Featuring: Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic | Governor of Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her final State of the State address

Published February 25, 2026 | Video Starts at 30:41

Now let's talk about two more things we can do this year to lower costs and protect access to health care. First, medical debt. Over a half a million Michiganders got sick and couldn't afford to pay the bill. Last year we wiped out medical debt for 210,000 people. That's a huge weight off of their backs. I'm grateful to county governments statewide who've taken similar actions. I also want to thank Senators Anthony and Lindsay for their leadership on this issue. (30:41–30:47)

CLAIM

Asserts that Michigan eliminated medical debt for 210,000 people last year.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Gretchen Whitmer

“Just one in five homes today are sold to first time home buyers. That is an all time low.”
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“The median age of a first time home buyer is 40. That's a record high.”
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“Tariffs have jacked up prices, costing families an average of 1000 bucks a year.”
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“Tariffs have raised the cost of a house by upwards of 17 grand.”
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“Mental health finally covered equally to physical health by law, making Michigan the first state to get that done.”
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“More people moved into Michigan from other states than out for the first time since the early 90s.”
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“I am eager to work with you all again on our last balanced, bipartisan budget. And let's get it done on time. June 30th.”
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“I just released my final executive budget recommendation, which included the largest targeted literacy investment in Michigan history.”
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“Soon, we'll also screen every student for dyslexia.”
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“The data tells us that students who attend pre K are far more likely to read and do math at or above grade level.”
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“Michigan families have repeatedly broken records for pre K enrollment.”
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“Let's fund free full day pre K for all and set every child up for success.”
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“Our new science of reading law identifies students who need more support.”
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“In late 2024, I signed science of Reading legislation, a statewide strategy that uses proven methods to teach reading.”
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“We're already seeing remarkable progress in states that are doing the same things I've covered tonight.”
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“Michigan is 44th in fourth grade reading.”
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“There's a multi million home shortage nationwide.”
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“We've invested more to build housing than any administration in state history.”
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“We set and smashed our goal of adding 75,000 homes a year ahead of schedule. We're at 86,000 now.”
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“We closed our housing gap by 44%.”
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“Our home ownership rate remains higher than the national average at almost 75%.”
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“Michigan is the only state in our region without [a state level affordable housing tax credit].”
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“Renew the ACA subsidies provide real relief to Michiganers.”
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“Federal cuts would put two and a half million Michiganders, a quarter of our population, at risk of losing their coverage.”
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“Every student in every school gets the same resources because we finally closed the funding gap.”
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“We finally have common sense Gun violence prevention laws, background checks, safe storage, extreme risk protection order.”
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“LGBTQ Michiganders are protected against discrimination in their homes and at work. By law.”
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