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After Action Report – House Health Care Policy Committee Meeting

FURTHER ACTION NEEDED

For being such short notice, as these meetings usual are we had a decent turn out and therefore we were able to turn in testimony cards of our opposition to establishing an Obama Care Health Exchange. In attendance were also several other Tea Party Organizers from Grand Rapids and Oakland County. Testimony was taken from “regular people” and I did get an opportunity to testify HERE and contains some interesting facts that I learned from researching.

The testimony was mostly from business organizations with the recommendation to proceed slowly and if necessary introduce a minimum bill with one suggestion, a “sunset clause” that if Obama Care is ruled unconstitutional or overturned in any way the bill or law would become void.

Although we appreciate a very cautious stand we DISAGREE with any bill being introduced as that would allow Michigan to accept more Federal dollars for implementation. Michigan has already accepted the million dollars for Exchange planning.

From the Foundry.. “The first program offered “exchange planning” grants of $1 million per state. …the only obligation for states that accepted planning grants is to submit a report to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Some of those reports (which will be public documents) could further highlight the problems and disruptions Obama Care will cause.“

And it is rumored that our Governerd intends to ask for more Federal money this Fall… Early innovator.

“…The second program offered “early innovator” grants, which HHS awarded to seven states (Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin). Those were grants of $6 million to $54 million to develop prototypes of the information technology infrastructure needed to implement Obama Care. New governors in Kansas and Oklahoma have, wisely, returned those grants. The remaining five states should do the same…

Consequently, at this point the best course of action for states is to neither apply for nor accept exchange establishment grant funding.

Instead, state lawmakers should pursue their own patient-centered, market-based reforms separate from and independent of Obama Care, using only private-sector or state resources. In particular, state lawmakers interested in creating a defined-contribution option for employment-based coverage should ensure that any “exchange” or “clearinghouse” to handle the administrative functions does not receive federal funding.”

We agree.

In Michigan: “multi-state Health Care Compact that if approved by Congress would allow states to opt-out of Obamacare’s provisions, and also block-grant to member states all the federal Medicaid and Medicare dollars now spent in the state. Four states — Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Missouri — have already adopted the compact. Legislation to make Michigan the fifth — House Bill 4693 introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester — is currently pending before the Michigan House Health Policy Committee.”

CAPCON

Please consider contacting the Governerd and/or your Representative. And tell them..For example

“I am requesting that any Federal grant monies including but not limited to “Level 1” PPACA funding grant, or PPACA Information Technology Return received on behalf of the State of Michigan be returned and any future offers by the federal government of grants be refused.

As a lifelong citizen of the great state of Michigan, I consider these monies akin to the Biblical “30 pieces of silver”

I support only patient-centered, market-based reforms separate from and independent of Obamacare, using only private-sector or state resources.

Governerd Contact Info
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE: (517) 335-7858
Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
E-MAIL: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov