MEA Votes

We've already heard how Speaker of the House Andy Dillon's plan to consolidate benefits for over 400,000 public employees, including those working in education, would cost our state over $500 million in the first year alone. The results from a new survey released yesterday shows that over a 59 percent majority opposed the legislation when first asked, and after hearing arguments both in favor of and against the proposal, opposition grew to 71 percent.

Remember hearing about how Speaker of the House Andy Dillon had introduced a plan that he claimed would save the state millions by pooling benefits for groups like teachers and educational staff, police and firefighters? Well, he was wrong then, and a new study by an independent national research firm shows exactly how wrong he was.

Speaker Dillon's ill-advised idea for a statewide health insurance pool for public employees is being roundly criticized by many -- and drawing support from at least one strange ally.

House Speaker Andy Dillon today announced his plans for a single, statewide health insurance plan for Michigan public employees that includes all school employees. Despite the lack of proof that such a plan would save any money, Dillon claims his plan could save as much as $900 million a year.

This ill-advised plan would put Michigan bureaucrats in charge of the health care for school employees and their families. Especially amidst our state budget crisis, now isn’t the time for a massive government-run experiment in health care.

Check out the Detroit Free Press coverage of Dillon’s proposal and MEA’s press release.

Let us know what you think! And make sure to make your feelings known to Speaker Dillon and your representative in Lansing.