LANSING – The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services late Monday gave its approval of Michigan’s Medicaid eligibility expansion plan, meaning the state can move ahead with steps to enroll low-income individuals into the health care program.
“It’s a nice year-end gift for the governor and Legislature,” Community Health Director James Haveman said in an interview.
It also marks a significant capstone to an issue that was both the most significant political and policy issue in the state in 2013.
The approval means the state can now enroll people with incomes of up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level on April 1, 2014, into Medicaid. The program could mean as many as 477,000 people could enroll.
?Ensuring access to health care for hard-working Michiganders will strengthen the health of our state?s residents and our economy,? Snyder said in a statement. ?With the approval of the Healthy Michigan Plan, we can move forward to bring coverage to residents, creating a healthier, more productive workforce while saving money for the state?s taxpayers and job providers. We thank the federal government for its speedy review and approval of Michigan?s innovative plan and approach.?
Haveman said all aspects of the state proposal, including provisions for health savings accounts, monitoring of premiums and other proposals, were approved by the federal government.
The federal government will watch the issue of uncompensated care closely, Haveman said, and the state will closely watch the question of cost shifting.
The approval also means the state has a “ton of work”‘ to do to prepare for the open sign-up period, he said.
“But it’s a huge step,”‘ Haveman said.
Among the issues to resolve is the supplemental of $70 million to recoup federal funds and help finance the program. Haveman said in letting legislative leaders know about the approval, they had raised the issue of the supplemental.
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