Snyder continues ‘Healthy Michigan’ tour Wednesday

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder will meet with small-business owners in Houghton on Wednesday, continuing his statewide discussion with residents and job providers about the benefits of the Healthy Michigan legislation. A media availability will follow the meeting.

The plan would provide health insurance coverage to nearly half-a-million low-income Michigan residents.

The meeting at an Upper Peninsula business, GS Engineering, follows a series of discussions that Snyder has conducted across the state to make the case for the legislation. The Healthy Michigan plan could prevent employers in Michigan from having to pay as much as $81 million annually in new federal tax penalties.
The legislation, House Bill 4714, was approved by the Michigan House with bipartisan support. The state Senate has formed a work group on the plan and is expected to act on the measure this summer. The governor has urged the body to set a date for a vote and to pass the legislation quickly.

“Michigan’s small businesses are vital to our state’s comeback, and expanding health coverage to more workers with the Healthy Michigan plan will help the workers and the job providers,” Snyder said. “This is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of nearly half-a-million people and to boost the state’s economy. The sooner the legislation gets to my desk, the better it will be for Michigan and its people.”

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 also 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.

Those covered by the Healthy Michigan plan would share in costs through premiums. The plan also would offer them incentives to take responsibility for lifestyle choices and to maintain or improve their health.

Visit HealthyMichiganNow.com for more information.