As Michigan’s legislative session approaches its end, a new proposal aims to reshape how Medicaid funds are utilized in the state. Recently approved by the House, the bill seeks to authorize the allocation of Medicaid resources to support community violence intervention initiatives within hospitals.
These initiatives encompass services such as referrals to social services and mental health support, which have been instrumental in Detroit’s reported decline in crime rates in areas where such programs are active.
Currently, hospitals rely heavily on volunteers to deliver these services. The new legislation, championed by state Representative Christine Morse (D-Portage), would enable Medicaid to compensate these volunteers for their efforts.
“If you consider gun violence is a public health crisis, it just makes sense to use Medicaid funding to fight it,” Morse stated. This perspective highlights the fact that many individuals impacted by gun violence are either Medicaid beneficiaries or uninsured, underlining the necessity for such funding.
For the bill to take effect, Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services must secure federal approval to direct Medicaid funds towards these programs.
According to Morse, several states already implement similar use of Medicaid funds, addressing both the physical and emotional aftermath experienced by victims and their families. “You need a lot of different tools in your toolbox to try to combat gun violence that exists today,” she emphasized.
The future of the bill rests with the state Senate, where its fate remains uncertain as the session draws to a close.
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