Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who cut short his trip to Israel to lobby state senators within his own party, blasted the Senate this afternoon for adjourning for the summer rather than sticking around to vote on an expansion of the Medicaid program.
Here is the press release put out by the governor’s office:
Gov. Rick Snyder today expressed indignation with the state Senate’s
decision to adjourn for the summer without voting on health care legislation
that is vital to Michigan’s families and future.
At
stake is the Healthy Michigan plan, an initiative that will reduce skyrocketing
hospital costs resulting from uncompensated health care. Under the plan, nearly
a half-million working but uninsured Michiganders would receive coverage. The
bill was approved by the House last week.
stake is the Healthy Michigan plan, an initiative that will reduce skyrocketing
hospital costs resulting from uncompensated health care. Under the plan, nearly
a half-million working but uninsured Michiganders would receive coverage. The
bill was approved by the House last week.
“Ensuring
access to affordable, quality health care is one of the most significant
challenges facing Michigan,” Snyder said. “The Healthy Michigan plan will help
achieve that. Members of the state House already have acted on this and I
appreciate their diligence. Unfortunately, the Senate did not even bring this
critical legislation up for a floor vote before leaving for the summer. That’s
unacceptable. Our senators need to take a vote, not a vacation.
access to affordable, quality health care is one of the most significant
challenges facing Michigan,” Snyder said. “The Healthy Michigan plan will help
achieve that. Members of the state House already have acted on this and I
appreciate their diligence. Unfortunately, the Senate did not even bring this
critical legislation up for a floor vote before leaving for the summer. That’s
unacceptable. Our senators need to take a vote, not a vacation.
“Leaving
this undone will negatively impact our people, health care providers and
businesses as they deal with the challenges associated with the Affordable Care
Act.”
this undone will negatively impact our people, health care providers and
businesses as they deal with the challenges associated with the Affordable Care
Act.”
Snyder
pointed out that voting on issues that are essential to Michigan is a basic
function of the Legislature, much like its responsibility to approve balanced
budgets.
pointed out that voting on issues that are essential to Michigan is a basic
function of the Legislature, much like its responsibility to approve balanced
budgets.
“I
appreciate the fact that lawmakers have addressed other significant issues this
year,” Snyder said. “But the job isn’t done. I encourage all Michiganders to
ask their senators why they left Lansing for the summer without finishing their
work. That’s what I’m going to do.”
appreciate the fact that lawmakers have addressed other significant issues this
year,” Snyder said. “But the job isn’t done. I encourage all Michiganders to
ask their senators why they left Lansing for the summer without finishing their
work. That’s what I’m going to do.”
In
addition to lowering costs, the Healthy Michigan plan prudently includes
incentives to encourage healthy lifestyles that will reduce the need for
emergency care.
addition to lowering costs, the Healthy Michigan plan prudently includes
incentives to encourage healthy lifestyles that will reduce the need for
emergency care.
“We
see people every day walking into Federally Qualified Health Centers suffering
from conditions like diabetes, heart disease and asthma that could have been
treated before they became severe,” said Kim Sibilsky, CEO of the Michigan
Primary Care Association. “Had these people had insurance and not delayed care,
we could have improved their quality of life and saved money.”
see people every day walking into Federally Qualified Health Centers suffering
from conditions like diabetes, heart disease and asthma that could have been
treated before they became severe,” said Kim Sibilsky, CEO of the Michigan
Primary Care Association. “Had these people had insurance and not delayed care,
we could have improved their quality of life and saved money.”
Treating
those without insurance places an $820 million burden for uncompensated care
each year on Michigan’s hospital industry.
those without insurance places an $820 million burden for uncompensated care
each year on Michigan’s hospital industry.
“Individuals
with insurance and businesses pay higher premiums to cover the cost of
uncompensated care. Reducing the amount of uncompensated care will help
control medical costs and improve our state’s economy and business climate,”
Snyder said.
with insurance and businesses pay higher premiums to cover the cost of
uncompensated care. Reducing the amount of uncompensated care will help
control medical costs and improve our state’s economy and business climate,”
Snyder said.
Healthy
Michigan has the support of many health and business organizations, including
the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce
and the Small Business Association of Michigan.
Michigan has the support of many health and business organizations, including
the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce
and the Small Business Association of Michigan.
“This lack of action is a missed opportunity to make a significant
difference in the cost of health insurance for Michigan’s small businesses and
job providers and potentially puts us (at) a competitive disadvantage,” said Rob
Fowler, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan.
difference in the cost of health insurance for Michigan’s small businesses and
job providers and potentially puts us (at) a competitive disadvantage,” said Rob
Fowler, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan.
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.
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.
“The
people of Michigan expect and deserve leadership on critical issues facing our
state,” Snyder said. “My legislative partners and I have been entrusted with
that responsibility, and it is one we can never take for granted. This issue
has had a thorough and lengthy debate in Lansing. Michigan families deserve
better.”
people of Michigan expect and deserve leadership on critical issues facing our
state,” Snyder said. “My legislative partners and I have been entrusted with
that responsibility, and it is one we can never take for granted. This issue
has had a thorough and lengthy debate in Lansing. Michigan families deserve
better.”
