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State Rolls Out 'Healthy Michigan' Medicaid Expansion

LANSING (WWJ) - The state of Michigan has officially rolls out its Medicaid expansion program.

State officials say the new Healthy Michigan program will expand coverage to nearly half a million low-income Michiganders without insurance.

State Department of Community Health Director James Haverman says even though the program does not have an enrollment deadline like Obamacare, it still makes good economic sense for people to get covered as soon as possible.

"When people don't have health care coverage they go to the emergency room, which leads to uncompensated care," Haverman said. "And when hospitals have uncompensated care, there's more money that's shifted to premiums for the commercial market."

State Department of Human services officials say the web site went live at midnight, and there haven't been any the glitches that have plagued the federal Obamacare site, HealthCare.gov.

State lawmakers, on a bipartisan vote last December, approved expanding Medicaid eligibility this year to 320,000 adults making up to 133 percent of the poverty line. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder pushed hard in support of the program.

Those who qualify can enroll in Healthy Michigan online, by phone or in person at a state or federally qualified health center. Get more information or enroll now at this link.

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