The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is requesting public comment on its plan to renew expanded Medicaid coverage to assist people who have been affected by the Flint water crisis.
In 2016, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Michigan's application for a five-year Medicaid demonstration project in response to the public health emergency due to lead exposure related to the Flint water system. The demonstration expanded coverage to low-income children up to age 21 and pregnant women served by the Flint water system during a state-specified time period and who would not otherwise have been eligible for Medicaid.
"The people of Flint need and deserve state assistance in the continuing recovery from the water crisis," said Kate Massey, senior deputy director of MDHHS Medical Services Administration. "We are committed to continuing to provide help. As of January 2020, 43,421 young people and pregnant women have received expanded Medicaid coverage so that their health needs related to lead exposure can be addressed."
The project expires Feb. 28, 2021, and must be renewed by CMS to continue. MDHHS is seeking approval for a 10-year extension. If approved, the state will maintain the expanded Medicaid coverage to children and pregnant women served by the Flint water system with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.
The project is called the Flint Michigan Section 1115 Demonstration. A copy of the complete application, stakeholder notice, and waiver summary is available on the Section 1115 Waiver webpage. You can request hard copies of the materials by contacting msapolicy@michigan.gov. You may also submit comments by email to msapolicy@michigan.gov or by writing the address below:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Medical Services Administration
Medicaid Policy Section, P.O. Box 30479, Lansing, MI 48909-7979.Comments should include "Section 1115 Flint Waiver Extension" in the email subject line. Comments will be accepted until March 26, 2020.
Published: Wed, Feb 26, 2020
