Benson Sharpens Healthcare Contrast With James
(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/08/2026) Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson is proposing a $5,000 caregiver tax credit but, when asked, could not provide a cost estimate or enough eligibility details to calculate one.
MIRS asked Benson at the end of a healthcare affordability roundtable about the potential cost of the proposal, given AARP's estimate that about 1.52 million Michiganders are caregivers. If all 1.52 million caregivers were eligible for and received the full $5,000 credit, the theoretical cost could reach about $7.6 billion. The state budget is about $84 billion.
Benson has not proposed making the credit universally available.
Instead, Benson said: "As governor, I'm going to be committed to ensuring we cut taxes on the middle class and our $5,000 caregiver tax credit is one example of that. It's been supported by the AARP and other agencies, who recognize how important it is, as long-term care is increasing in the state, that we do what we can to make sure it's affordable for all and that's what that tax credit will do."
The caregiver credit is one piece of Benson's broader healthcare agenda, an issue she is making one of her clearest contrasts with Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township).
“I think this really underscores why healthcare is the defining issue of this election cycle and of this campaign,” Benson said following the Lansing roundtable moderated by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing).
Benson framed healthcare affordability issues as partly stemming from James' own votes in Congress. In other words, she said it's because of "people like my opponent who went to Washington, charged to serve the people," and instead "voted along with the president and so many others to increase the cost of healthcare," something she said James is proud of.
Roundtable participants shared stories of rising premiums, high deductibles and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. One attendee described a friend with severe pre-existing conditions whose monthly Affordable Care Act premium is jumping from $325 to $843, along with a $5,500 deductible.
Another, who relies on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, said she worries an error in her Medicaid paperwork could jeopardize her coverage and described increasingly dipping into savings just to make it through the month. Others raised the cost of medications and specialty care, including one participant who said an osteoporosis infusion she once received cost about $10,000 per treatment.
The participants did not introduce themselves at the start of the roundtable, so their individual stories could not be attributed to specific names. The participants included John Zaworski, Elissa George, Linda Vail, Eric Schneidewind and Shelia Kniffin.
One area where Benson said a governor could make a difference is helping Michiganders maintain Medicaid coverage as new federal requirements take effect.
Benson said she wants the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to use information the state already has to proactively determine whether residents remain eligible, rather than repeatedly requiring them to submit the same information.
Where information is missing, she said the state could hold clinics in communities to help residents complete the requirements before they lose coverage.
She also reiterated several pieces of the healthcare plan she rolled out earlier in the campaign, including creating an independent prescription drug affordability board, requiring hospitals to tell patients expected costs upfront and investing in mobile health centers in areas affected by hospital closures.
She also wants to offer scholarships and other incentives aimed at recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in underserved areas.
Benson was also asked about gaps in women’s healthcare across Michigan. She pointed to Planned Parenthood clinic closures, rural hospital closures, OB-GYN shortages and disparities in Black maternal healthcare.
She also spoke about experiencing a miscarriage and said it reinforced for her the importance of having access to qualified reproductive healthcare providers when that care is needed.
James has outlined a different approach to healthcare, with his campaign calling for price transparency, expanded use of telehealth and direct primary care, rural provider recruitment and efforts to reduce fraud.
