The House of Representatives previously passed a version of the budget that did not include the Governor’s plan. However, the House Michigan Competitiveness Committee is currently deliberating on an alternative proposal that would extend Medicaid health insurance to individuals with income up to 133 percent of the poverty level. (See Related Article)

During the budget debate, the Senate adopted three minor amendments to the bill. The bill removed any potential savings gleamed from Medicaid expansion, a placeholder was inserted for human trafficking intervention services, and a workgroup was created to improve mental health services in Benzie and Manistee counties.

The Senate and House budgets will now be sent to a Conference Committee to resolve the differences between the two proposals. To date, legislative leaders have not appointed conferees for the respective conference committees. The Legislature is working to finalize all of the budgets before a self-imposed June 1 deadline.