Divided Michigan Senate approves healthcare budget

Chicago Tribune, March 26, 2008

The Michigan Senate has passed a spending plan that will provide healthcare to the poor and disabled, but Republicans blocked Democrats' efforts to continue allowing 19- and 20-year-olds to qualify for Medicaid. Sen. Deb Cherry said taking away Medicaid coverage for those young adults is foolish. Some of the young adults are living on their own after leaving foster care, and others would turn to costly emergency room care if they don't have health insurance, she said.