No one pictures their life after a catastrophic car accident. No Michigander plans life where they are no longer able to walk, to work, to take care of themselves on their own, but too many Michiganders, their families, and our own constituents know this reality. These bills will ensure that every Michigan driver, whether they have already been in an accident or have chosen full coverage to protect themselves in the future, have access and availability to the care and benefits that they pay for. I do not believe any reform should ever be at the cost of accessing medically-necessary care to auto accident survivors that is necessary for survival. I am excited we were able to work with stakeholders, colleagues, families, and survivors themselves to address the most urgent need of the availability of care, while not impacting cost-saving features of the current insurance law.
These bills still allow for fraud authority, utilization review, choice of lower cost personal injury protection, and still giving insurers the ability to deny any claim in the process to deem being unreasonable. Surprise, surprise. After the reform, Michigan is still experiencing one of the highest paying premiums in the nation. This package provides our residents the care that they need and provide the care that they are paying for. I am hopeful for ongoing discussions and looking forward to, after the speakers today, their support to other options regarding finally solving the exuberant cost experienced by Michigan drivers through cracking down on discriminatory practices that do not create an artificial narrative where affordability is entirely determined by the access of care for all drivers in Michigan. But first, we need to address the most urgent issue for current and future auto accident survivors that need us as legislators to stand up for one of our most-vulnerable populations feeling real life and death consequences from this crisis of care.
I’m proud to have worked on a constructive, bipartisan solution that will benefit every Michigan driver, all seven million, and save lives. I urge a “yes” vote on these bills.
Senator Brinks’ statement is as follows:
A major responsibility that we are tasked with here is not just passing laws but also having the courage to revisit laws that need improving. Many of you were here when the first iteration of no-fault reform was passed in 2019. I voted “no” largely because of the concerns that will now be addressed in this legislation. For me, it is about what we can do to ensure that people who are disabled by catastrophic accidents are simply able to live with dignity.
I’d like to thank the Senators from the 6th, 21st, and 7th districts, along with a number of members in this chamber and issue stakeholders who have provided valuable insight and spoke eloquently in favor of this legislation. By passing these bills, we can better serve the people of our state, especially those who have been in life-changing accidents, their families, and their caregivers.
I thank you, and I urge a “yes” vote.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 531, entitled
A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending section 2111f (MCL 500.2111f), as added by 2019 PA 22.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: