By Chrystal Blair – Producer
Public News Service
New federal Medicaid requirements could create hardships for some families in Michigan’s foster care system, according to the state’s largest private foster care and adoption agencies.
Samaritas serves almost 40,000 people each year through programs including foster care, adoption, mental health and housing.
Dave Morin, president and CEO of Samaritas, said Medicaid coverage helps meet the complex needs of many children in the system.
“Whether it’s a physical need, a developmental need, or a behavioral need, Medicaid helps support these children and is very much foundational to what they need to continue to thrive and move forward in life,” Morin explained.
Children in Michigan’s foster care are exempt from the new federal work requirements. However, Morin pointed out changes affecting coverage for some adults could create additional challenges for families.
Samaritas serves more than 60 communities in Michigan, supporting about 500 Michigan children and families in foster care at any given time and works with families to help prevent children from entering the foster care system.
Morin acknowledged parents often have their own physical or behavioral health needs to address before children can safely return home.
“Part of the Medicaid destabilization will be also to the families itself and the parents,” Morin emphasized. “Helping them meet their milestones to get back to reunification. So it’s going to be longer for the child to reunify with their parents.”
Morin added Samaritas has reached out to state lawmakers about the potential effects of the Medicaid changes. At the same time, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services continues reviewing how the new federal requirements will be implemented.
