Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2011.12.15 - 18841Miscellaneous Resolution #11230 BY: Commissioner Jim Nash, District #15, RE: Board of Commissioners — Urging Michigan Legislature to Oppose Eliminating Michigan's Automobile No-Fault Insurance System TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the Constitutional duty of government is to protect the Health and Welfare of its citizens; and WHEREAS Michigan's No-Fault Automobile Insurance system does just that by protecting individuals who have suffered traumatic injuries from auto accidents, thus ensuring they have the expert medical care they need to recover, receive long-term care if necessary and live fulfilling lives; and WHEREAS former Governor William Milliken signed Michigan's No-Fault Auto Insurance Act in 1973, to ensure accident victims receive due care, reduce litigation and ensure fair insurance premiums. This has resulted in Michigan ranking 50 th in auto accident litigation and first in care for auto accident victims; and WHEREAS the No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act is model legislation because it protects citizens' health at minimal costs, by supporting needed medical care and in-home care for the life of the injured individual; and WHEREAS this coverage includes emergency airlift from the accident site, all emergency and surgical medical care, rehabilitation, home modifications, motorized wheelchairs and 24 hour home nursing care for as long as reasonably necessary; and WHEREAS the cost to policyholders for this catastrophic coverage is currently $12 a month, for coverage that pays reasonable and appropriate benefits to auto accident victims that last a lifetime; and WHEREAS legislation has been introduced in Lansing, House Bill 4936, to eliminate the comprehensive coverage and limit coverage to a maximum of $5 million and a minimum of $250,000, depending on what an individual would purchase, often without understanding the consequences; and, WHEREAS there are many Oakland County residents, and their families, who are currently benefitting, or would in the future, from this program because of auto accidents and who would be directly affected if the current law is changed; and WHEREAS significant numbers of Oakland County medical and rehabilitation businesses that serve accident victims who are covered under this law would suffer income loss and could be forced to lay-off employees or even close up entirely if this reform passes; and WHEREAS even the legislation's sponsor, Rep. Pete Lund, could not say what the cost savings would be for the average citizen's insurance coverage, or the effect it would have on future auto accident victims. In a recent radio interview, in fact, he suggested they could get on Medicare at 65; and WHEREAS any savings in personal injury protection costs by this legislation may be exceeded by increases in liability insurance increases because their only access to needed medical coverage would be through litigation, while leaving many accident victims vulnerable to the costs incurred by uncovered medical expenses; and CommissionerJim -Nash District #15 CommisSiafer District # Commissioner District # airpejscA_we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. Commissioner istrict # . sb District # Commissioner Distr)ct # .;. - —Conimissi District # - Cornmissione-r District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # WHEREAS this legislation would force those whose needs exceed this coverage to declare bankruptcy and go on Medicaid, which would not cover most of the currently covered expenses, or use Medicare, and thus force the taxpayers to pay the costs; and WHEREAS there is a broad coalition of groups and individuals who are working to protect the No- Fault Insurance program, including the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disability Network of Michigan, Michigan College of Emergency Physicians, Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Nurses Association, Michigan Rehabilitation Association, among many others. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby opposes House Bill 4936, which would repeal the Michigan Auto No-Fault Insurance system and replace it with a faulty voluntary system that would leave accident victims with reduced coverage, increase Medicaid and Medicare costs to support victims and produce no proven savings for insurance coverage. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, the Board of Commissioner's Lobbyist, the Oakland County Legislative delegation and Governor Rick Snyder. Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #11230 September 22, 2011 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections. Resolution #11230 December 15, 2011 Moved by Nash supported by Quarles to discharge the resolution from the General Government Committee. Discussion followed. AYES: Greimel, Hatchett, Jackson, McGillivray, Nash, Quarles, Woodward, Zack, Covey, Gershenson. (10) NAYS: Gosselin, Hoffman, Long, Matis, Middleton, Nuccio, Potts, Runestad, Scott, Taub, Weipert, Bosnic, Crawford, Dwyer, Gingell. (15) A sufficient majority having not voted in favor, the motion to discharge failed.