A state Senate committee debated the merits of making people work for their Medicaid benefits. The committee passed that bill Wednesday.
Claire Maitre is 62. She watches her two grandsons while their parents are at work. Maitre says she also volunteers. And she’s currently on Medicaid.
“I may seem poor to you, but my life seems rich.”
Maitre could be required to find paid work if the bill passes as is. She says she would rather lose her health insurance than not take care of her grandkids.
Senator Mike Shirkey is a bill sponsor. He says these government-funded programs are a social safety net.
“A safety net by definition has a few holes in it. And that’s gonna happen.”
Shirkey says the bill is meant to make sure the state has enough resources to help those that need it most.
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—Cheyna Roth is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
