By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-925024.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The Legislature has approved increased funding for Medicaid next year. As Michigan Public Radio's Laura Weber reports, Medicaid got a boost to restore programs that had been cut in previous years.
AUDIO:
The money for Medicaid programs, such as adult dental and vision, was available because of one-time federal stimulus money. The increased spending was approved fairly easily through the Legislature, but not without some harsh criticism. Fiscal analysts at the state Capitol say lawmakers should expect a huge hole in that budget next year.
Republican state Representative Tom McMillin agrees.
"It means the next governor and the next Legislature is going to have a disaster to deal with, instead of actually starting to deal with at least half of the problem this year," he says.
Lawmakers also approved a key portion of the overall budget deal that would grant amnesty to delinquent taxpayers.