Rep. McDonald Rivet Leads Letter to Support Services for Children and Mothers Impacted by Flint Water Crisis

FLINT— Today, Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) strongly urging the continuation of critical Medicaid coverage for children and pregnant women impacted by the Flint Water Crisis.

In 2016, CMS approved the “Flint Michigan Section 1115 Demonstration” waiver to expand critical Medicaid services and support to cover children under the age of 21 and pregnant women who were affected by lead exposure during the Flint Water Crisis. Since then, more than 54,000 children and pregnant women have been able to access comprehensive coverage, preventive services, and early interventions designed to address the long-lasting effects of lead exposure. 

On December 19, 2025, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services submitted a request to extend the Flint Michigan Section 1115 Demonstration for an additional five years to maintain uninterrupted coverage and services for thousands of Flint families.

In their letter, the Representatives write, “Families were exposed to lead through no fault of their own, and the profound negative health consequences of that exposure – particularly for children – can last a lifetime…Since its initial approval in 2016, the waiver has served as a lifeline for Flint families who otherwise would not qualify for Medicaid, ensuring that more than 54,000 children and pregnant women have access to comprehensive coverage, preventive services, and early interventions designed to address the lasting effects of lead exposure. For thousands of families, this coverage has meant timely care during critical stages of development, rather than delayed or foregone services… Allowing the demonstration to expire would result in the loss of coverage for thousands of Flint residents and undermine the long-term health protections the waiver was designed to provide.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.