Its important to note that Mike Shirkey is in the health care business and is a board member of Allegiance Health system. He knows how badly Obamacare will hurt us.
also, here is the Repubican Haines who is leader of the committee:
Statement from State Rep. Gail Haines, chair of the House Health Policy Committee regarding health exchanges:
“The courts and the voters have determined that an exchange will happen in Michigan, but there are still questions about what type of exchange is best for Michigan patients and taxpayers. Details and deadlines regarding exchanges have continued to be moving targets and we are trying our best to get all our questions answered before committing our state to a specific plan.
We will continue to work with Gov. Snyder to get our questions answered so that we can move forward knowing that we are making well-informed decision. It is a shame that with deadlines upon us, the federal government refuses to provide the answers to very basic questions that should be obvious before implementing a health care mandate of this magnitude on the people of this country.
The House Health Policy Committee has held numerous committee hearings on health exchanges and has heard countless hours of testimony both in favor and opposing the creation of an exchange. With the recent Supreme Court decision and the results of the Presidential election known, it is now without question that Michigan will have some form of health exchange. Although I still have questions regarding the cost of an exchange and how it would operate, I look forward to continuing the discussion on establishing an exchange that protects Michigan patients and taxpayers. While there is still uncertainty about what exactly this will mean, I believe that it is better for our hard-working taxpayers if we take as much control of our health care as possible instead of handing the reins over to the federal government. “
and Speaker Bolger:
House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, today issued the following statement:
“The question as to whether there will be an exchange in Michigan is now answered by the courts and the voters: there will be an exchange. The question we need to answer is whether the state will have a seat at that table, or if we will cede state control to the federal government and allow them to establish the exchange with federal priorities rather than Michigan priorities. Michigan can assert its sovereign rights and responsibilities to protect its citizens to minimize federal overreach. The simple truth is that not acting grants control to the federal government. The House will continue to work with the Governor to ensure that Michigan residents’ needs are met and their interests are heard. Most central to that partnership is determining Michigan’s best choice for this exchange that is coming; whether federally-imposed, a state/federal partnership, or a state run exchange. While I continue to disagree with the Affordable Care Act, a state-planned, state-run, and state-operated exchange appears to be a better choice than permitting the federal government to make decisions for Michigan residents.
“Simply put, while many questions remain unanswered from the federal government, I believe it is better for the state to seize control and answer those questions for ourselves and to do so before Dec. 14. The state can determine whether we have more than a hundred insurance choices and robust competition to benefit Michigan consumers like Utah rather than risk allowing the federal government to determine only a few options are offered as is done in some states. We can work to ensure Michigan families maintain the option of working with local insurance professionals to act as personal navigators to the exchange rather than banning their participation as in a federal exchange. The Michigan Legislature can work to protect religious liberty for Michigan citizens rather than allowing the federal government to force coverage that violates religious beliefs. Finally, our worst fears of the federal government’s path is a single payer system or government takeover of our patients’ health care; while this does not exist today, a move to this would be made much easier through the federal government running Michigan’s exchange rather than having Michigan in control and ensuring consumer choices for our families.
“Once again the federal government has moved deadlines. However, two deadlines have remained unchanged throughout: Jan. 1, 2013 for the certification, and Jan. 1, 2014 as the date the exchange must be operational. While we do not need to make a final decision today or take action now, as we look at how the state can best protect Michigan patients, state’s rights and taxpayers, I appreciate the governor’s efforts to keep our options open as we continue to work on the best answers to the many questions created by the federal government.”
BOTH ARE LUDICROUSLY WRONG. IF THEY WOULD FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OTHER REPUBLICAN-LED STATES, THEY WOULD KNOW THAT NOT IMPLEMENTING THE EXCHANGE WILL MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE FED TO CARRY ON WITH THE LAW.
WHAT BOLGER AND HAINES ARE DOING IS FORCING SOMETHING UPON US, LISTENING TO LOBBYISTS (WHO I MIGHT ADD WERE MITT’S PALS) WHO STAND TO MAKE A HELL OF A LOT OF MONEY.
THIS SHOULD DESTROY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN MICHIGAN.