Senate Bill SB 693 - Michigan Health Care Exchange

[William Gavette]

Representative Gail Haines will take testimony at a Health Policy meeting on Senate Bill SB 693. The meeting is Thursday, January 19, 2012, at 9 AM in the House Office Building, 124 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI

This is an important meeting to discuss the creation of the Michigan Health Care Exchange, which has already passed the Michigan Senate and is in discussion in the House. The current consensus in the House is to wait and see what the Supreme Court rules on its Constitutionality. Under the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (PPACA) or “Obama Care”, each state must design and implement its exchange by January 1, 2014, or default to an exchange designed by the Federal government. The Federal government will pay $9.8 billion to implement the exchange. Unfortunately this bill was passed quickly in the Senate without much discussion or public awareness, and a discussion is needed. Accepting this large amount of money from the Federal government must have strings attached. The way this bill was pushed through the MI Senate without the normal discussions and processes reminds us of the way the Federal government pushed Obama Care through congress. Several States have already rejected forming a health care exchange and receiving money from the Federal government. As you are aware, the Federal Act (Obama Care) is the subject of pending litigation brought by a number of states, including Michigan, based on concerns that it violates the U.S. Constitution. The ruling on this will be this year. Why are we rushing to get SB 693 passed before we hear the Supreme Court ruling? As residents and tax payers of Michigan we need to know how creating this exchange will affect us and our health care. Join the discussion in Lansing on Thursday the 19th if you can or call and let Rep. Haines know your thoughts about SB 693. Her office number is: 517-373-0615. E-mail address: [e-mail]

Tim Lintz Elba township