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Rep. Whiteford’s DHHS budget plan advances to House floor
RELEASE|April 28, 2022

Plan includes historic, comprehensive mental health funding

State Rep. Mary Whiteford, vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, today gained approval from fellow committee members on the Department of Health and Human Services budget proposal she spearheaded as chair of the DHHS Subcommittee.

The DHHS budget represents almost 50 percent of the entire state budget. The funding helps families and individuals meet financial, medical and social service needs. The department was created through the merger of the Community Health and Human Services departments in 2015.

In addition to state funding, Whiteford’s plan dedicates $260 million in federal funding to critical health issues facing Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.

“This budget is our state’s much-needed safety net during a very difficult time here in Michigan,” said Whiteford, a registered nurse. “There are 650,000 more people on Medicaid now than there were pre-pandemic. Our child advocacy centers are swamped. Adolescent suicides have increased. We have an opportunity to use our federal COVID dollars wisely to create positive change in these areas and help future generations. The people of Michigan are trusting us to spend our budget dollars effectively and efficiently, and that’s what this plan does.”

Whiteford said the budget’s investment in mental and behavioral health care has been five years in the making and is “the most comprehensive plan” the state has ever had.

“I added up the numbers and we’re investing a total of $331,750,000 into mental health care. If that’s not a comprehensive plan addressing the needs of everybody in our state – I don’t know what is,” Whiteford said prior to the committee vote. “This includes support for first responders, Community Mental Health, school-based care, crisis stabilization units, foster care, helping kids with autism, and so much more.”

Some of the other priorities in the budget include support for survivors of human trafficking, money to combat and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, substance abuse services, senior services, nutrition programs, and bolsters funding for existing public health programs while continuing to fund Medicaid.

Whiteford’s finalized budget plan was approved with bipartisan support by the Appropriations Committee and now moves to be considered by the full House.

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