A prominent Michigan Democrat is taking a swing at a new proposal by fellow Democrat House Speaker Andy Dillon to place all public sector employees into one health insurance program.
Former Rep. John Freeman, a Democratic candidate for governor and now state director of Health Care for America Now, said Dillon’s plan to save government up to $900 million annually is unrealistic and would further burden government employees.
In a recent Lansing State Journal, Freeman said the proposal would cut benefits to teachers and reduce union bargaining power.
"This isn't real change. It's the same old song with a different beat,” he wrote. “Health care reform is vital for our state. With 1.3 million uninsured Michiganders, we need to focus on how to enable more, not fewer, people to pay their medical bills. But Dillon's prescription is one we in Michigan can't afford to fill.”
Interestingly, Dillon seems to be garnering more support for his plan from the other side of the aisle. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, a Republican, came out in favor of the plan.
