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Michigan to make sure felons can't work as in-home health aides

James Haveman, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health
MDCH
/
MDCH
James Haveman, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health
James Haveman, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health
Credit MDCH / MDCH
/
MDCH
James Haveman, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health

Michigan Health Director JimHavemansays a Medicaid program that pays for in-home care is being revamped.

A recent state audit showed the program allowed some convicted felons to work with patients.

Haveman says the changes will protect taxpayers and patients.

"It’s not going to allow people who have been charged with murder, it’s not going to allow people who have been charged with Medicaid fraud," says Haveman.  "They’re not going to be permitted to be part of this program."

   

The audit also found the program misspent $160 million over three years.

Copyright 2014 Michigan Radio

Jake Neher is a state Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He joined MPRN in September of 2012. Before that he served as a reporter and anchor for WFUV Public Radio in the Bronx, New York, and as News Director for KBRW Public Radio in Barrow, Alaska. He has been working in radio in some capacity since he was 15 years old. A native of southeast Michigan, Jake graduated from Central Michigan University in 2010. He has a master's degree in public communications from Fordham University.