HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1986.02.13 - 10656February 13, 1986
Miscellaneous Resolution # 86019
BY: Betty Fortino, County Commissioner - District #5
Ruel E. McPherson, County Commissioner - District #9
RE: SB 560 (Opposition) - Blue Cross/Blue Shield Reform
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, as presently formed Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan (BC/BS)
is a "unique, quasi-public, benevolent and charitable entity, created by law to
promote a wider distribution of medical care and to maintain the standing and
progress of the science and art of medicine in this State"; and
WHEREAS, SB 560 would convert BC/BS into a member-owned. private.
mutual insurance company which would limit access to affordable health care to
non-medicare eligible seniors; and
WHEREAS, such mutualization could eliminate the guarantee of health care
insurance to many people over the age of 65 should the federal government
eliminate Medicare or limit it to low-income Seniors; and
WHEREAS, SB 560 would transfer control of the Board of Directors from
subscribers and would allow BC/BS to invest its contingency reserves in non-health
related enterprises; and
WHEREAS, under SB 560, BC/BS would lose its tax-exempt status and its
special statutory privileges, but would carry forward its millions of dollars in
accrued assets to its new private status; and
WHEREAS_ the Office of Services to the Aging, the Commission on Services
to the Aging, the State Advisory Council on Aging, the Michigan Coalition on
Aging Organizations, the Area Agencies on Aging of Michigan, and other affected
senior groups oppose mutualization.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commis-
sioners does hereby oppose the adoption of SB 560.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this resolution be
forwarded to the legislators representing Oakland County, and the County's
legislative agent.
Mr. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
#86019 February 13, 1986
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government
Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee, There were no
objections.