FLINT, MI -- Medicaid coverage will be available in Flint to cover children up to 21-years-old and pregnant women as part of the ongoing effort to help people affected by the city's water crisis.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the state's waiver, which was submitted on Feb. 14 to provide short-and long-term health support, Gov. Rick Snyder announced on Thursday, March 3.
"Providing important health resources to Flint residents will help us better mitigate the risks of lead exposure and identify long-term health challenges," Snyder said in a statement. "Together with the health care community, we are working to ensure that Flint residents receive a full range of health and social support today and in the future. I appreciate that our federal partners expedited the review and granted this waiver."
Approval of the waiver request means Michigan's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program services will be available to approximately 15,000 residents who were served by the Flint water system, according to a news release from the governor's office.
In February Congressman Dan Kildee, along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, wrote to the Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell asking for them to "swiftly accept" Michigan's waiver for additional coverage for Flint's children.
"Flint's most vulnerable residents, including children and pregnant women, will now have greater access to a broad range of health care services to help them mitigate the effects of lead exposure," Kildee said in a statement. "This Medicaid expansion is critical to ensuring that Flint families exposed to high lead levels get the care and support they need, including blood lead level monitoring and comprehensive health services. I appreciate the swift action by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the federal government to extend these health and development services for Flint residents."
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said the city is grateful the waiver will be issued. She said this means that children and pregnant women in Flint will have access to health care after their possible exposure to lead.
"It is important that every child and pregnant woman in Michigan get excellent health care to ensure the best possible outcomes for newborns and children. This waiver should ensure that Flint's mothers-to-be and our children are given the correct treatment to mitigate their lead exposure and any negative effects." Weaver said in a statement. "We thank U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, along with U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee of Flint Township, for pushing to get the Medicaid waiver that will bring health and medical benefits to Flint's children and pregnant women now and in the future."
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the State Budget Office will work with the state Legislature to ensure Flint residents have access to the health resources they need, according to the release.
The state is working to implement changes to its eligibility systems so that it can process applications as quickly as possible. MDHHS and Snyder's office will then provide information to residents on how to apply for coverage, according to the release.
In Snyder's request letter, the governor said the state would dedicate case managers to help people with:
- Coordinating primary care physicians and behavioral health providers, Medicaid health plans and others to ensure access to all necessary health services.
- Providing nutrition support.
- Improving access to educational and social support and services that may be available in the community to assist them with their individual needs.
People eligible for coverage include children up to 21-years-old who received water from the city's water system after April 2014 up until the water is deemed safe, according to the release. Pregnant women and their children also will be made eligible.
Coverage is available to all income levels, according to the release. People with income more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level -- which is $47,520 for one person or $97,200 for a family of four -- will need to buy into the program in order to receive full Medicaid benefits.