By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-903155.mp3
LANSING, MI –
A state House panel has resumed debate over a proposal from Democratic House Speaker and candidate for governor Andy Dillon to pool all public employee health care benefits.
AUDIO:
Speaker Dillon says he thinks the plan could still save the state a billion dollars. But with a few new proposals, including one that would allow public employee unions to opt out of the health care pool and pay the difference, it's unclear just how much money the plan would save.
Democratic state Representative Pam Byrnes chairs the committee examining the proposal.
"It's got to be cost-saving, if it's not cost-saving than it's not worth doing. And I think that's what the Speaker was saying. We've got to make sure the cost savings are there before we put everybody through this."
Dillon says the plan needs to save the state at least $100 million to be worth pushing forward.