Snyder eyes mental health makeover

Associated Press

Updated: Jan 25, 2013 1:25 PM

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Advocates are asking Gov. Rick Snyder to approve the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act to provide more Michigan residents with mental health care coverage.

Gov. Rick Snyder told The Associated Press on Wednesday that expanding Medicare under the federal Affordable Care Act "would actually expand mental health coverage significantly," but he'll "make that call" during his budget presentation Feb. 7.

Snyder said "that's one of the factors" he is taking into account.  He says he would also like to see better public-private partnerships to boost mental health care.

Michigan Department of Community Health Director James Haveman tells the AP he expects Snyder to propose adding $5 million to the mental health care budget to create new programs aimed primarily at increasing early interventions for troubled youth.

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