The MI Healthy Communities Plan has been proposed to expand investment in public health. The $1.4 billion expansion would be funded by federal relief dollars allocated in the American Rescue Plan.
The pandemic revealed areas for improvement in the health infrastructure in Michigan, particularly in mental health care, access to behavioral care and telemedicine, nursing homes, and local public health departments.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that the plan “makes long-overdue investments to put Michigan families first”.
Mental health care investment is a major part of the plan with $335 million allocated to community-based behavioral healthcare. Antu Segal, President of the Michigan Psychological Association said, “Access to quality mental health care is a major issue in Michigan. The Governor’s plan would address this problem in a big way.”
Construction of a $325 million updated psychiatric hospital in Southeast Michigan and an increased number of providers are part of the MI Healthy Communities Plan.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
