Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation that will expand Michigan's Medicaid program to cover 470,000 additional state residents under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The expansion — called the Healthy Michigan plan — is expected to bring coverage to 320,000 people in its first year and eventually extend health insurance to nearly a half-million people. Under the healthcare reform law, states have the option of extending Medicaid to adults and households earning 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
Earlier this month, the Michigan House of Representatives voted 75-32 to pass a final version of the expansion bill. House members had passed a version of the bill earlier this year to appropriate $1.7 billion in federal funding in the next fiscal year to extend the program. The proposal divided Michigan's Republican senators.
The Senate ultimately passed the bill with some changes, such as the addition of a section requiring the director of the state's community health department to submit a recommendation to the Senate majority leader, the speaker of the House and the state budget office concerning how to determine Medicaid eligibility and enrollment.
However, the Senate fell short of the 26 votes needed to have the legislation take effect immediately. As a result, the expansion won't take effect until 90 days after the current legislative session ends in December.
More Articles on Michigan Medicaid Expansion:
Michigan House Gives Final Approval of Medicaid Expansion
Michigan Senate to Debate Medicaid Expansion Timeline
Medicaid Expansion Bill Clears Michigan Senate