LANSING —  The Michigan State Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 27, voted 20-18, to approve a bill to expand Medicaid, under President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law.

The expansion will cover an additional 470,000 low-income Michigan residents.

Governor Rick Snyder expressed support for Medicaid expansion this year through the federal Affordable Care Act, Obamacare. Most of his fellow Republicans, who control the State Legislature, initially opposed partnership with the federal government to expand the health insurance program for the poor. But Snyder lobbied successfully to pass it.

On Aug. 27, the Senate approved a version of a bill passed by the State House in June, with some differences.  The bill must return to the House for a final vote, before it can advance to Snyder for his signature.

After the governor’s signature, the bill will go into effect in April of next year.