MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel statement on agreement to pass bipartisan budget for FY2026

Today, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel released the following statement in response to the announcement that the legislature had reached an agreement to pass a balanced and bipartisan state budget for FY2026.

"I am pleased that the legislature has reached an agreement to pass a balanced, bipartisan state budget that will allow the dedicated staff of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to continue its vital work of protecting the health, safety and prosperity of Michigan families. The passage of the FY 26 budget will enable us to sustain essential services for communities across Michigan including substance use disorder services, access to behavioral health services as well as vital Medicaid services and food assistance programs like SNAP that our friends, families and neighbors rely on every day. We appreciate the work of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature and look forward to seeing the finalized budget."