© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State lawmakers say healthcare plan is more important than ever

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – Lansing, MI (MPRN) - State lawmakers say healthcare reform is necessary now more than ever in light of GM and Chrysler bankruptcies. They say more than a million people are uninsured in Michigan, and that number is bound to grow as automakers make cuts. Nearly 9,000 GM employees in the state lost their jobs with the company's bankruptcy.

Democratic state Representative Marc Corriveau says "They're going to look somewhere if they're not getting insurance from their employer base, they got to go get it on their own. So this is the exact reason why this plan was thought out as it was and put in place, because these people need insurance. When we leave them with the decision of paying their house bill or paying for good, they're going to pick those things over healthcare. And we all know that costs us money."

Corriveau unveiled healthcare legislation last month. The bills would create a pool of money, paid for by all insurance companies, to cover anyone who is uninsured and suffers a catastrophic event.

Senate Republicans also have a healthcare coverage plan.

Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!