Budget includes funding to support behavioral & mental health, homeless and financial insecurities, seniors, and more
LANSING, Mich. (April 23, 2024) — Today, the Michigan Senate Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, chaired by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), passed its budget recommendation for the Department of Health and Human Services for Fiscal Year 2025. The budget legislation, Senate Bill 767, prioritizes $49.1 million in state funding for Medicaid access enhancements, including reimbursement rate increases for Federally Qualified Health Centers, autism services, anesthesia, office visits, speech-language services, and private duty nursing, ultimately helping to better serve the state’s most vulnerable patients.
“Our commitment lies in uplifting Michiganders, nurturing their families, fortifying communities, and furnishing the essential services and resources vital for prosperity, growth, and good health,” Sen. Santana said. “It’s an honor to champion these budget allocations, and I’m eager to send this recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding essential for the well-being of our children, at-risk patients, families, and seniors.”
Additionally, the Senate’s DHHS budget recommendation includes money for the expansion of certified community behavioral health clinic demonstration sites to bring the total of statewide sites to 44, in addition to increasing behavioral health support by providing funding for technical support in schools to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services.
Among other things, the proposed budget also includes funding for child welfare and foster care system improvements, the creation of the Office of Suicide Prevention, resources for seniors, including for home-delivered meals and the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, income assistance programs, and emergency and long-term housing support, and homeless and shelter grants.
“This budget recommendation targets major issues our communities are facing such as food insecurity, homelessness, mental and behavioral health, opioid and substance abuse and so much more,” Sen. Santana said.
The recommended 2025 DHHS budget now heads to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
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