Physical Wellness

Snyder Asked For More Medical Support For Flint Water Crisis After Receiving Backlash From His Hometown

By Jenn Loro | Update Date: Feb 16, 2016 10:34 AM EST

Flint City and Michigan state officials had been accused of turning a deaf ear to residents' complaints regarding the water's bad taste and smell which they endured for 18 months until the crisis became a nationwide scandal.

Governor Rick Snyder, in particular, has been a target of protests in his hometown Ann Arbor due to what the residents view as his grave mishandling of the crisis. Others call for his resignation.

"He's terrible and I want him to get out of our town. It seems crazy for him to be here because what he represents in no way meshes with our community. I definitely think people are much angrier than I've seen before. It's a slap in the face for him to be here," said an upset Ann Arbor Resident Jennifer Scroggins as mentioned in a WZZM-13 report.

Meanwhile, the embattled governor officially requests the federal government for an expanded Medicaid support to expectant mothers and people below 21 years old who are facing health risks due to their exposure to lead-poisoned water supply.

In a request letter sent to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the expanded coverage would alleviate the plight of 15, 000 Flint residents who had suffered from the water crisis. The level of lead contamination of the city's water supply would require extensive support for lab tests and medical treatments for children, pregnant women, and young adults.

"Expanding these services and lead abatement efforts will mitigate the risks of lead exposure and result in better identifying any long-term health challenges, including behavioral issues," said the governor as quoted by Tech Times.

Also, administration officials have already confirmed federal assistance for Flint which includes blood-level monitoring, psychosocial services, and nutritional support for the affected residents as stated in Detroit Free Press news story.

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