July 01, 2013
LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday will visit a hospital and take part in a special hour-long radio town hall to make the case for the Healthy Michigan plan, which would extend health care coverage to nearly half-a-million Michigan residents and reduce health care costs for everyone.
The governor will meet with health care professionals at Allegiance Health in Jackson. Later Snyder will take part in a radio call-in show on WWJ 950 in Detroit. The events are part of a series of meetings the governor is conducting across the state urging a vote and passage of the crucial health care bill.
The legislation, House Bill 4714, has been approved by the Michigan House with bipartisan support. The Michigan Senate adjourned June 20 without taking action on the bill. The Senate has formed a work group on the plan. Snyder has urged Senate leaders to set a date for a vote and to pass the legislation quickly.
"We need fast action from the Michigan Senate to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to offer health coverage, save taxpayers and small businesses money, improve Michigan's economy and encourage healthier living," Snyder said. "Healthy Michigan offers a compassionate, cost-effective approach to the problem of the uninsured, and will keep hundreds of thousands of people from having to use the emergency room as their primary source of medical care."
The state is projected to save $206 million in the 2014 fiscal year by providing Healthy Michigan plan benefits to those now receiving services paid for with general fund dollars. Healthy Michigan would alleviate most of the $880 million a year in uncompensated costs that are borne by hospitals and passed to individuals and businesses through higher health care premiums. The plan encourages healthy living by providing incentives for participants to make health-conscious choices.
Last week, Snyder signed a petition developed by the group HealthyMichiganNow.com, encouraging the state Senate to act on the legislation.
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