Governor Rick Snyder’s administration says it’s “very skeptical” the federal government will let Michigan put a time limit on Medicaid.
As The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher reports, lawmakers in Lansing continue to debate a plan to overhaul and expand the program.
Under a bill in the state House, able-bodied adults would only be allowed on Medicaid for four years. Michigan would have to get a waiver from the federal government for that to happen.
Top health officials in Lansing say that’s very unlikely.
But Republican state Representative Mike Shirkey says the four-year cap is a vital piece of the bill.
“The only way I can get to ‘yes’ on Medicaid reform/expansion, is if it includes very bold reform,” he says. “And I consider that to be very bold reform.”
Skirkey says he’s optimistic the Obama Administration would accept the state’s conditions.