HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2009.08.12 - 9709Miscellaneous Resolution # 09178
BY Commissioners Bill Bullard, Jr., District #2, Micheal J. Gingell, District #3 and David W, Potts, District
#20
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR MICHIGAN'S PROPOSAL FOR
COMPREHENSIVE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE REFORM
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS it is widely recognized that because the State of Michigan faces a 2010 fiscal year deficit of more
than $1.7 billion, structural budgetary changes are needed; anc
WHEREAS employees and retirees across Michigan participate in hundreos of different healtn care plans
offered by the state as well as counties, cities, townships, school districts and other local units of government.
Each plan differs in casts and quality and assesses its own administrative fees; and
WHEREAS Michigan Speaker of the House Andy Dillon announced a proposal to provide a major overhaul of
Michigan's state employee health care system that is expected to yield close to $1 billion in savings annually;
and
WHEREAS because Michigan is facing spiraling deficits and massive unemployment, reforming health care
for public employees has never been more urgent and making the same plans available to everyone will save
Michigan taxpayers $900 million a year, preserve health care coverage for workers and save jobs; and
WHEREAS proposed changes in public sector active and retiree health care benefits could provide an
opportunity to help the state reduce costs: specifically, cnanges that would centralize the oversight and
administration of health care benefits, standardize benefits for all public eectc r employees, leverage an
increased purchasing scale and Position the state to have a stronger voice in ensuring that all residents
receive medical care that conforms tc recognized best practices; and
WHEREAS the overhaul proposes to consolidate the hundreds of cifferent plans serving Michigan's hundreds
of thousands of public sector employees and retirees, allowing for huge administative sevings. competitive
pricing to drive down costs and standardized benefits more closely aligned with those in the private sector: and
WHEREAS the health care reform also proposes to ensure that all health care plans serving public sector
employees and retirees follow best medical practices, which will increase patient safety and prevent
unnecessary treatment; and
WHEREAS in Michigan, the state, counties, cities, school districts and other municipalities spend thousands of
hours to lgclividuaily negotiate and administer hundreds of unique health care plans for public sector
employees and retirees; and
WHEREAS consolidating the planning, delivery and administration of health care benefits, including
negotia.tions ene purchasieg, MI simplify the process anC generate an estimated $65 - $75 million in annual
savings across arlichigan'e public sector.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereoy supports a
proposal for comprehensive consolidated health care reform for puelic employees and retirees that will
accelerate efforts to streamline government and make lasting changes that achieve signifieant savings while
protecting the jobs of workers and families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County board of Commissioners strongly urges the Michigan
House and Senate to adopt and Governor Jennifer Granholm to sign into law comprehensive consolidated
health care reform measures for public employees and retirees.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this adopted
resolution to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, the Oakland County
delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties and Oakland County's Legislative
Lobbyists.
Chairperson. we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
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#09178 August 14, 2009
The Vice Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. Commissioner Schwartz
objected.
Discussion followed.
Vice Chairperson Michael Gingell stated that the Board will vote on sending the resolution to the General
Government Committee. There must be 13 "no" votes to oppose referring a resolution to a committee.
AYES: Potter, Potts, Runestad, Scott, Taub, Bullard, Douglas, Gingell, Gosselln, Jacobsen,
Middleton. (11)
NAYS: Schwartz, Woodward, Zack, Burns, Coleman, Coulter, Gershenson, Greimel, Hatchett,
Jackson, McGillivray. Nash. (12)
A sufficient majority not having voted in opposition. The resolution was referred to the General Government
Committee.