Budget includes funding to support moms and babies, homeless youth, seniors, American Indian families, crime victims and more
LANSING, Mich. (May 10, 2023) — Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) and the rest of the Michigan Senate voted on several budget bills today, including one for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The DHHS budget, crafted by Sen. Santana as chair of the subcommittee, includes a shift to focusing on impacts on disadvantaged communities regardless of where they reside in the state, funding for the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program to improve maternal and infant health, and state funding to support victims of domestic violence or sexual assault in lieu of upcoming reductions to federal Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) funding.
“This budget prioritizes Michiganders, their families, their communities and the services and resources they all need to thrive, build a life and raise a family,” said Sen. Santana. “I’m proud to have supported these budget investments and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on advocating for these important proposals and funding that our kids, workers, families and seniors need the most.”
The Senate DHHS budget passed today also includes money to support homeless and runaway youth, strengthen food bank and food assistance and combat food deserts, improve American Indian health and family services, and renovate homes for senior citizens in Detroit. There is also money for unpaid medical debt, local health initiatives, and treatment of substance use disorders in the Arab community.
“I am happy to help secure funding for some important local initiatives in my district as well as a number of vital, statewide supports,” Sen. Santana said. “Our health and human services are essential to all our people, but they are most effective when they are targeted and approached with equity in mind, a particular commitment of mine this year.”
The full Senate’s passage today of the DHHS and other budget bills marks the culmination of months of work by Sen. Santana and her colleagues, and a turning point in the budget process. The proposed budgets will continue to be negotiated with the House and governor’s office to reach final funding decisions.
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