Stephen Fitton Explains Michigan's Decision to Expand Medicaid

There were a number of reasons why Michigan chose to expand its Medicaid coverage, and economics was just one part the decision, Stephen Fitton, Medicaid director at the Michigan Department of Community Health, said at the America’s Health Insurance Plans’ National Conferences on Medicare and Medicaid, and Dual Eligibles Summit.

But more importantly, the state expanded Medicaid for the individuals in need who did not have coverage.

“We’ve really made an emphasis the way we moved in Michigan, the direction we moved, was toward healthy behaviors, link coverage to healthy behaviors, and get the population healthier,” he said.