The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Senator Webber asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Webber’s statement is as follows:
Michigan’s participation and enrollment in the federal health insurance exchange are at an all-time high, and the current system is working as intended. Residents are finding and enrolling in the system. This bill would enact a state-based health insurance exchange marketplace in Michigan that could increase health care costs for consumers compared to what the federal exchange charges.
Transitioning to a state-based exchange, as done in this bill, does not pass down any savings to the consumer. We must support policies that lower costs and does not expand the size and scope of state government. Giving DIFS new and broad authority to promulgate the necessary rules to carry out this act is concerning, especially since the department already has problems enforcing current statute protecting health care consumers.
My amendment is simple: whatever the federal exchange rate is, Michigan’s state-based exchange would be the same. I ask for a “yes” vote on my amendment to prevent increased health care costs for Michigan families.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 634, entitled
A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending sections 1261, 1262, 1262a, and 1264 (MCL 500.1261, 500.1262, 500.1262a, and 500.1264), as added by 2014 PA 566.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: