DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder checked off oneof the major priorities of his first
term on Monday, signing into law ameasure that will make hundreds of thousands of state residents
eligiblefor Medicaid.Snyder’s signature at the ceremony at OakwoodHospital in Dearborn makes Michigan
the largest state controlled byRepublicans to support a key component of the new federal health
carelaw.It will expand the government health insurance program toalmost a half-million Michigan
residents within a few years, nearlyhalving the state’s uninsured. An estimated 320,000 are expected to
beeligible in late March if the federal government OKs the plan.Medicaidexpansion is part of a strategy
to ensure that nearly all Americanshave health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. It was designed
tocover the neediest uninsured people yet became optional for statesbecause of a Supreme Court
decision.Many GOP-led states opposedto "Obamacare" have declined the expansion, despite the
U.S. governmentpromising to cover the entire cost for the first three years and 90percent later.
Michigan becomes just the third state where the GOP alsocontrols the Legislature to accept it — joining
Arizona and NorthDakota.The program already covers one in five Michigan residents,mainly low-income
children, pregnant women, the disabled and somepoorer working adults. The expansion will cover adults
making up to 133percent of the poverty level — $15,500 for an individual, $26,500 for afamily of
three.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten orredistributed.