Speaker Dillon opens testimony on mandated health care plan

Dillon’s state-mandated health plan for public employees unveiled

Thursday, Speaker Dillon rolled out his Michigan Health Benefits Program to members of the Public Employee Health Care Reform Committee in a public hearing attended by MEA members and staff.

Kate Kohn-Parrott, Dillon’s health care expert, presented the plan details to the committee. As she stated, “The goal of the plan is to consolidate the planning, delivery and administration of health benefits for Michigan’s public sector employees and retirees” with the idea of saving the state millions of dollars. Public school employees are included in the plan.

Kohn-Parrott answered committee members’ questions at the end of her presentation. Listen to the exchange on the issues of unfunded retiree liabilities, cost-shifting to employees and collective bargaining rights.

Committee members are Chair Pam Byrnes (D) Chelsea; Harold Haugh (D) Roseville; Bert Johnson (D) Highland Park; Michael Lahti (D) Hancock; Tim Melton (D) Auburn Hills; Dan Scrips (D) Leland; Woodrow Stanley (D) Flint; Kate Sega (D) Battle Creek; Minority Vice Chair Phillip Pavlov (R) St. Clair; Robert Genetski (R) Saugatuck; Matthew Lori (R) Constantine; Bill Rogers (R) Brighton; and James Bolger (R) Marshall.

Related: First public hearing Q & A video gallery

Updated: September 8, 2009 10:13 AM