Michigan House Gives Final Approval of Medicaid Expansion

The Michigan House of Representatives has voted 75-32 to agree with Senate changes to a bill that would expand the state's Medicaid program under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to a Reuters report.

Earlier this year, House members passed a version of the bill to appropriate $1.7 billion in federal funding in the next fiscal year to extend the program. The proposal had divided Michigan's Republican senators. The Senate passed the bill last week 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.

If Gov. Rick Snyder — who has advocated for the expansion — signs the bill into law, it won't take effect until 90 days after the current legislative session ends in December. The Senate fell short of the 26 votes needed to have the legislation take effect immediately. If lawmakers don't vote to let the law kick in sooner, the expansion could be delayed from January 2014 until late March or early April.

State senators are currently in the process of deciding when the expansion will take effect.

More Articles on Michigan Medicaid Expansion:
Michigan Senate to Debate Medicaid Expansion Timeline
Medicaid Expansion Bill Clears Michigan Senate
Michigan Gov. Snyder Continues Push for Medicaid Expansion