Mich. lawmakers give final OK to expand Medicaid

Gov. Rick Snyder, center, is expected to sign the measure which adds low-income residents to Medicaid coverage in Michigan.

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan lawmakers have given final approval to legislation to make more low-income adults eligible for health insurance through the federal health care law.

The Medicaid expansion bill approved 75-32 Tuesday by the Republican-led House now heads to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who plans to sign it.

The newly eligible recipients would be covered starting in March instead of January because Senate Republicans refused to put the measure into effect immediately.

Medicaid expansion is part of a strategy to ensure nearly all Americans have health insurance under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. It was designed to cover the neediest uninsured people but became optional for states because of a Supreme Court decision.

Michigan’s plan includes GOP provisions requiring federal approval. Snyder says he has received “positive feedback” from the Obama administration.