Gov. Snyder Signs Medicaid Expansion Bill

This story was reported and written by Jessica Nunez. 

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn this morning that will expand Medicaid eligibility to more low-income adults.

The state House approved the expansion bill earlier this month 75-32.


During an appearance at a retirement home in Novi last month, Snyder said there are almost a half million people who don't currently qualify for Medicaid but also aren't able to afford their own health insurance. 

He said the expansion would allow for coverage of people without children, married couples or single adults, and those working but who don't make enough to afford health insurance. 

"If you had someone at your kitchen table who needed help, we'd figure out how to help them," he said at the appearance. "We've got 470,000 other family members we can help."

The bill signing makes Michigan the 25th state to move forward with Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act.

It is also the third state led by a Republican governor and Legislature to do so.