8/28/13 - In a big win for Republican Governor Rick Snyder and a loss for TEA Party activists, the Michigan Senate has voted to make more adults eligible for Medicaid. The Republican-controlled chamber's 20-18 vote Tuesday afternoon clears a big hurdle for implementing a key but optional component of the federal health care law. State Senator Joe Hune voted against the measure. The Hamburg Township Republican has long been opposed to the expansion, saying it should incumbent on the federal government and not the state legislature to help low-income residents meet the demands of the Affordable Care Act. Also known as Obamacare, the act will require most Americans to have some kind of health coverage by January 1st. The expansion of Medicaid, which would cover approximately 320,000 Michigan residents, about 5,000 of them in Livingston County, will be completely covered by the federal government until 2017 at which point it will drop to 95% and then to 90% in 2021. The GOP-led House is expected to pass the legislation next week, and Gov. Snyder may sign it quickly. Snyder has said those who would be covered under the expansion are currently accessing the health care system primarily through the emergency room, which is the most expensive form of medical care. He says that leads to higher premiums for businesses and individuals with private insurance. (JK)
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