Legislative Leaders, Governor Continue Negotiations on No-fault Bills
Posted on May 17, 2019
On May 16, legislative leaders announced that they would hold off on voting on two auto no-fault bills to continue negotiations with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over the weekend.
As reported May 9, the Senate and House recently fast-tracked approval of two proposals that would end the protections currently available to Michigan drivers and auto accident victims under Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance law.
Of major concern to the MHA is a provision in both bills that would allow certain drivers to opt of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage entirely, which would effectively eliminate the no-fault system rather than reform it. Both bills call for the implementation of a government-mandated fee schedule based on workers’ compensation rates for healthcare providers, which would slash nearly $400 million from trauma centers throughout Michigan in one year alone — impacting the emergency care available to all patients, not just those injured in auto accidents.
Whitmer publicly stated her opposition to the PIP opt-out during tours of the trauma center at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, and Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation, East Lansing. She called the zero-coverage option a cost shift that will burden taxpayers or bankrupt people, while undermining critical healthcare coverage throughout the state.
The MHA continues to facilitate conversations with House and Senate leadership and thanks member hospitals and health systems for their continuing efforts against the bills. Members are encouraged to continue contacting legislators, asking them to vote no on House Bill 4397 and Senate Bill 1 in their current form. Members with questions should contact Chris Mitchell at the MHA.
Photo Caption: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (left) is joined by Dr. Robert Connors, president, Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, and Tina Freese Decker, president & CEO, Spectrum Health, during a discussion about the impact of the latest no-fault legislation on hospital trauma centers while visiting Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids.
Tags: auto no-fault, Brian Peters, auto insurance, advocacy, Spectrum Health, SB 1, HB 4397, Governor Whitmer, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Posted in: Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare