LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Delaying Medicaid expansion in Michigan is having another side-effect besides forcing low-income adults to wait three months longer for health insurance under the federal health overhaul.
It also means there could be $73 million less for deteriorating roads at a time lawmakers are funneling more money there in part to avoid raising gasoline taxes and vehicle registration fees.
Lost in the Republican-led Legislature's contentious approval of Medicaid expansion last month was a provision specifying legislators' "intent" to put savings into roads. The state saves money under the law because mental health treatment and other costs will be paid with federal dollars.
There's no guarantee the savings will go to roads and bridges. While House leaders appear to prefer that, a Senate leader says the money should stay in health care.
