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NORTON SHORES –State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) earned high praise from members of the health care community today for her support of a state budget plan that funds programs aimed at protecting our most vulnerable residents.

"I'd like to thank Representative Valentine for her decision to invest in Michigan's health, ensuring that we will retain the resources and funding we need to continue treating the people of Michigan," said Ken Kraus, of the Muskegon County Health Department. "All Michigan citizens deserve access to affordable, quality health care."

The budget plan will give the state a long-term savings of hundreds of millions of dollars through cuts and reforms. However, the plan retains funding for vital services such as health care, education and police and fire protection. The Republican Senate plan would have eliminated $25.6 million in Medicaid coverage for relative caregivers, which would have forced many of our seniors into nursing homes. It also would have removed 19- and 20-year-olds from Medicare coverage.

"Michigan is already facing a health care crisis -- more than 1 million residents don't have health insurance," said Jeff Fortenbacher of Access Health. "Any more cuts to health care would have been devastating. By supporting this budget and protecting funding for health care, she put our residents first."

"I am grateful for the support of our local health care officials, including Ken Krause and Jeff Fortenbacher," Valentine said.  "As we move Michigan forward, I will continue fighting to ensure that we have the resources and funding needed to keep our district and our state healthy."