State Rep. Jack O’Malley today introduced a proposal that would restore crucial funding to enhance rural access to obstetrician services, which was stripped from the state budget through line-item veto by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

When signing budget bills for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, Gov. Whitmer cut nearly $1 billion in state programs affecting a wide cross-section of Michigan residents, including students, seniors, veterans and at-risk populations. Among the 147 vetoes was a program that boosts funding for rural hospitals that serve a higher volume of Medicaid patients for obstetrician services. O’Malley’s plan would restore the funds necessary to administer the program.

“We say a lot around the Capitol that we want Michigan to be an even better place to live, work and raise a family – to me, it has to start with family,” O’Malley said. “I don’t know what Gov. Whitmer thought she was playing at when she cut funding that kept rural mothers and their children healthy and safe, but, to me, it’s not something to be trifled with. I’m glad to put forward a plan to restore this important funding – I’m just sorry we even have to tell the Governor she can’t use mothers and children as leverage. This is a message we shouldn’t have to send.”