Snyder is straight up serious in taking care of his health lobby friends. He is not going to quit, or roll over as along as he thinks he can 'turn a few.' Some good information on the status of the expansion of the medicaid/welfare state in Michigan is always available if one pays attention.  To wit, Jack Hoogendyk says:

"The governor of Michigan has not given up on his quest to expand Medicaid. He succeeded in getting HB 4714 through the house in June. He hit a roadblock in the Senate. Since they failed to take a vote on 4714 and went on recess, the governor has been on a statewide tour in an attempt to whip up support in the general public. A special work group has been assigned to find "substitute language" in the bill that can get the needed votes for passage. Rumor is, they are on their 9th version of the bill.

The Senate is not scheduled to meet again until August 27th. Many members have left town to go on vacation so, it is highly unlikely that there will be any action before that time. Here is what I know from a VERY reliable source: 19 members of the Republican caucus are "solid NO" on Medicaid expansion. If you do the math, that is half of the senate. If a vote was taken today and it was a 19-19 tie, the lieutenant governor would then have to cast the tie-breaking vote. You know what he would do."

This scenario is NOT impossible, but at this point not likely, unless some fence sitters indicate they will deal.  

In a way, one might actually be able to gauge the integrity of their state senator by what that senator does, and what deals are made in exchange for a yes vote.  For the most part, sides have been chosen.  The fence sitters are either A. Waiting for a better deal/promise from the governor, or B. are truly conflicted as to the real cost/benefit of the equation presented them.  

And perhaps the latter reason could encourage a little more resolve from some constituents.  In fact, having heard in the last week that Tom Casperson might be leaning the humpty dumpty route and favoring the Snyder Medicaid plan, perhaps some clarification calls to the honorable Upper Peninsula State Senator are in order? As always we encourage the most respectful dialogue with our legislators and their office personnel. And as Casperson has been a strong A21 opponent, it might help to point out that Medicaid Expansion is undoubtedly part of the A21 plan.