Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (seated) recently signed the Michigan state budget for fiscal year 2023. | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (seated) recently signed the Michigan state budget for fiscal year 2023. | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
The Michigan bipartisan budget for fiscal year 2023 includes several provisions that enhance public health and safety.
The budget provides funds for the development of a state psychiatric hospital, a laboratory for public health and environment initiatives, expanded dental care coverage and improved access to mental health resources throughout Michigan, a recent press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office said. The budget was passed on time and does not require any tax increases.
Duane Breijak, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter, said he is proud of the lawmakers who worked on the 2023 budget and the investments it makes.
“Michigan has been long overdue for serious investments in the behavioral health workforce, and COVID has only heightened the critical need for enhanced mental health services across our state,” Breijak said in the release. “This year’s budget shows a serious bipartisan effort to address these vital services in settings from schools, to hospitals, to our community mental health system.”
Matthew Sahr, Michigan Professional Firefighters Union president, said the union looks forward to working with government agencies to address EMS issues as soon as possible.
“The members of the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union are pleased that the governor and the legislature have provided this additional funding for EMS (emergency medical service) scholarships and grants which are needed to address the critical shortage of paramedics in our fire departments across the state,” Sahr said in the release.
Whitmer shared what the 2023 budget will provide Michigan families.
“Since day one, I have been focused on delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families,” she said in the release. “Our bipartisan budget makes critical investments in two things that are top of mind for every family and community—health and safety. It will increase access to mental health services by building a new state psychiatric hospital complex, expanding behavioral health capacity, and offering tuition reimbursement for mental health professionals.”
Some of the highlights of the budget include $325 million for a new state psychiatric building, $277.8 million to improve public and private mental health and $57.8 million for the expansion of the Hawthorn Center facility.
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