Michigan Governor Rick Snyder wants Government to Expand Medicaid Coverage for Flint Residents

Michigan governor Rick Snyder has demanded for expansion of Medicaid coverage for Flint residents. The federal government should think about enlarging the coverage for individuals under 21 and pregnant ladies who have been exposed to lead-contaminated water in the city, Snyder said in a statement on Sunday.

Flint has more than 15,000 residents, who will be benefited if federal government listens to him and accept his proposal, as per Snyder’s statement. He also said that Michigan will help in the issue by lining up doctors and health experts, and providing some essential services.

Residents of Flint used the Flint River for drinking water for one and half years. The water was lacking in corrosion control which led to major issues. The issue is more than a year old when a state-appointed emergency manager proposed to consider the Flint River as Flint's water source. The manager said that switching from Lake Huron could be money saving for the state. But, water of the river was corrosive which caused lead to seep into old pipes.

It was later found that due to that corrosion, a number of Flint residents suffered long-term health effects. There are reports that the problem also caused Legionnaires' disease to some people.

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy earlier announced that he will personally visit Flint on Tuesday. Murthy may have a meeting with city residents at Mount Carmel Baptist Church.

On Friday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said that Michigan governor has said yes to testify before Congress on the Flint water crisis. "We are committed to investigating the failures in Flint. We appreciate Governor Snyder's willingness to appear before the Committee and look forward to hearing from EPA Administrator McCarthy as well", said Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.