getcovered_medicare_map_110713.jpg
Detail from the WhiteHouse.gov map
An updated map from WhiteHouse.gov now shows Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
UPDATE 5:54 p.m. -- The map has been updated on the White House website.
A map of the U.S. on the White House's website has something missing: Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
It looks a little bare, doesn't it?
The map depicts states based on their Medicaid expansion status.
U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Iron County, posted the photo on his Facebook page.
"Considering President Obama visited the U.P. only a few years ago, you would think he would remember to include it in the maps on his website," wrote Benishek, who represents northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. "It makes you wonder if the president’s omission of the entire U.P. from his maps is reflective of his views of us Yoopers?"
The criticism isn't anything new: Benishek has been opposed to the president's Affordable Care Act, which the graph mentions.
The White House has been contacted for comment on the map.
Update: The White House has added Michigan's Upper Peninsula to it's Medicaid map. "We're encouraged that Congressman Benishek is reading up on the thousands of people all across Michigan who will have better access and options for health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, and we hope that he stands ready to help any constituent in the U.P. who is seeking assistance in signing up and increasing the ranks of Michigan's insured," said Regional Communications Director Keith Maley.
Fritz Klug is a news buzz reporter for MLive. Contact him at fklug@mlive.com or 269-370-0584. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or App.net.