Legislation that would ease monthly reporting rules for Healthy Michigan enrollees is headed to Governor Whitmer’s desk.
The state Senate gave final approval Wednesday to the bipartisan plan from Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) and Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D-East Lansing).
Starting in January, able-bodied adults who are enrolled in Healthy Michigan must show that they work an average of 80 hours per month in a paid job, job training program, volunteer position, internship, or are currently undergoing substance abuse treatment.
Hertel says the bill would allow Medicaid recipients to have their work hours verified by the state through income disclosures.
He says recipients would also have a month to verify their compliance, instead of the 10 days under the existing law.
“We believe that the changes that we made will help 85 thousand people stay on Medicaid,” Hertel said.
The legislation also calls for a grace period for those who miss the deadline.
“What we're trying to do is make sure that those that are subject have a fair way to actually report information to the state,” Hertel said.
