Whiteford Working On State Health Department Budget

marywhiteford-2020
marywhiteford-2020

State Representative Mary Whiteford of Casco Township is working on the next budget for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She’s the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee and says the spending plan is seeing a significant infusion of federal dollars while continuing to serve as the state’s safety net.

“There are almost ten million people in the state of Michigan, and when we have these dollar amounts, $31 billion, people are like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s a lot of money,’” Whiteford said. “It is, but how do I as a appropriator make sure it’s actually helping a person in your community? A neighbor, a child, a grandma or grandpa. That’s where the challenge is, and it’s something that I focus on.”

The budget has gone from $26 billion to $31 billion because of a windfall of federal money due to the pandemic. Whiteford says the department covers everything from Medicaid to senior services. Her particular focus will be on programs that benefit children.