National Healthcare Update: Michigan Exchange Legislation Passes Senate But Gathers Dust In State House – January 5, 2012

By Bonnie Bochniak
MBPA Government Relations

The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), along with its sister group, the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), work diligently to keep you up to date on our new federal healthcare law and how it will affect you, your family, and your business.

Although our Association’s did not support the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), when given the option of allowing the federal government to control Michigan’s healthcare exchange, or having more state control, we opted for Michigan controlling its own healthcare exchange. We have had countless meetings with both key federal and state officials that are responsible for making critical decisions on how Michigan interacts in the federal healthcare exchange. Most recently in October 2011 we testified in front of the House Health Policy Committee on the need for a state run healthcare Exchange. Michigan must retain power over what happens with our healthcare.

Update:  Senate Bill 693 passed in the Senate Chambers at the end of last year, which creates the MIHealth Marketplace Act which will function as Michigan’s healthcare exchange that is required under the federal healthcare reform law passed last year.  Highlights from the legislation include:
 

• Establishes a small business health options program (SHOP) through which employers could provide healthcare coverage for their employees
• IF PPACA is ruled unconstitutional or repealed, the SHOP would be suspended, thus no longer offering federal healthcare options to businesses
• This Act cannot use State funds
• Health insurance coverage costs will be the same on and off the exchange
• Insurance agents maintain their role and compensation, offering healthcare services
• Allows the Marketplace to charge assessments or user fees to participating health carriers to support its operations
• Maintains two separate risk pools 

This bill now sits in the House Health Policy Committee for further deliberation and is rumored to be kept at bay until the Supreme Court rules on the federal healthcare legislation in June. As always, we will keep you up to speed as this legislation continues to move through the legislative process. Please contact our Government Relations Team with questions/comments at: BBochniak@michbusiness.org or by phone at: 517-374-9128.

Visit our website www.michbusiness.org , and click the National Healthcare tab for more detailed information. In addition, please use our website to find more helpful links understanding your healthcare options, obligations, and frequently answered questions.