(MPRN-Lansing) The state will request a crucial waiver on Tuesday needed to prevent hundreds of thousands of Michiganders from losing their health insurance.
Gov. Rick Snyder and state lawmakers created the Healthy Michigan plan in 2013 when they agreed to expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act. But the federal government must approve some differences between the program and what’s outlined under the Affordable Care Act. For example, the plan requires some members to contribute a larger portion of their income toward health insurance.
State health officials say the waiver request is critical for the continuation of Healthy Michigan.
“The Healthy Michigan plan has been a resounding success. So our focus and priority right now is making sure that this waiver is approved,”
said Jennifer Smith, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Almost 600,000 low-income Michiganders have signed up for Medicaid through Healthy Michigan. If the waiver is not approved, the program will end in April of next year.
