Governor Rick Snyder says he wants state lawmakers to approve expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. The request is included in the budget Snyder will deliver to the legislature Thursday. The Detroit Free Press reports that about 470-thousand more low-income people would get coverage if lawmakers approve the plan. However the governor is expected to face resistance from some fellow Republicans opposed to “Obamacare”.
Snyder announced the Medicaid proposal Wednesday during an appearance at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. He says it would save taxpayers money as well as expanding access to health care. The governor says it would also help alleviate pressure on Michigan's hospitals and small businesses. The governor's office says Medicaid expansion would save the state $1.2 billion over the next seven years while bringing in $20 billion in federal funding by 2023.
The governor says he's confident that Michigan has enough doctors to serve those who would be covered by the expansion.
