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The Obama administration approved Michigan’s request to extend Medicaid coverage to about 15,000 more children and pregnant women in Flint, where the water supply has been contaminated with lead. Children and pregnant women who were exposed to Flint water in their homes, workplaces, schools or day care facilities will be eligible for free health care if their household incomes do not exceed 400 percent of the poverty level, or about $97,000 for a family of four. (Goodnough, 3/3)

The federal government is extending Medicaid health insurance to Flint residents up to age 21 and to pregnant women who were exposed to lead in the city’s water supply. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says 15,000 people will qualify and 30,000 current Medicaid recipients will be eligible for more services. They’ll qualify for lead monitoring of their blood as well as behavioral health services. (3/3)

Medicaid has specific guidelines for screening for lead poisoning, and a case manager is assigned to work with the qualified children, follow their progress and ensure access to other medical, social, nutritional and educational support services, [Sen. Debbie] Stabenow said. “Connecting children to primary care providers who can follow their health as they grow and develop is a critical component of this response and recovery effort,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, who is leading the federal response and recovery effort in Flint on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Burke, 3/3)

In February Congressman Dan Kildee, along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, wrote to the Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell asking for them to "swiftly accept" Michigan's waiver for additional coverage for Flint's children. ... Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said the city is grateful the waiver will be issued. She said this means that children and pregnant women in Flint will have access to health care after their possible exposure to lead. (Emery, 3/3)

Flint, Mich., isn't the only American city with a lead problem. Though the health crisis in Flint has highlighted the use of lead in water pipes, author David Rosner tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that lead, which is a neurotoxin, can be found throughout the U.S. on walls, in soil and in the air. "The problem with lead is that it's now really everywhere, and we've created a terribly toxic environment in all sorts of ways," he says. (3/3)