Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RALPH ANSAMI
Bessemer — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday opposed a section of Gov. Rick Snyder’s 2017 fiscal year budget that would transfer Medicaid and Healthy Michigan funding for specialty mental health services to private entities.
The county board passed a resolution opposing Snyder's plan on a 6-0 vote after hearing a presentation from Julie Hautala, CEO of the Gogebic County Mental Health Authority.
Hautala said the county now deals with NorthCare in Marquette, which subcontracts with five regional entities in the U.P., representing 15 counties, including Gogebic.
Section 298 of the executive budget would transfer all Medicaid and Healthy Michigan funding for specialty services to a U.P. Health Plan, meaning the county board and family members of the people needing services would have “no accountability,” the resolution approved by the board states.
The change would pose considerable risks to the county, Hautala told board members. She said administrative overhead costs would change from 6 percent to 15 to 17 percent, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in funds allocated to help people here.
Overall, it would be a $200 million to $300 million reduction in funding “for Michigan's most vulnerable citizens,” she said.
Hautala said all county boards are being asked to oppose Snyder's budget. She said all 70 people who spoke at a recent legislative hearing opposed the change.
Commissioner Leroy Kangas, of Ironwood Township, said the county board is facing the same issue with substance abuse funds, with benefits for Gogebic County residents worsening.
Commissioner George Peterson, of Watersmeet, was absent.
