Non-problem: solved!
Michigan Republican Represenative Mike Shirkey introduced House Bill 4044 last January. The bill’s intent is to ensure that companies selling health insurance on the Michigan health care exchange that was made possible by the Affordable Care Act can sell insurance off the exchange as well.
Here’s the bill in full:
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an insurer or a health maintenance organization that is authorized under this act to offer and sell disability insurance or health maintenance organization contracts in this state shall not be required to offer and sell its products only through an exchange created in this state for the purposes described in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, as amended by the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010, Public Law 111-152.
Sounds reasonable, right?
Here’s the thing: thanks to Michigan Republicans, Michigan doesn’t HAVE a state health insurance exchange!
It’s literally a bill that is looking high and low, far and wide for a problem to solve.
Earlier this month, Shirkey tried to get it passed out of the Insurance committee where he apparently does not have the votes.
Michigan Republicans: working hard to solve problems that don’t exist. And they get paid to do this with our tax money.
[CC Facepalm image credit: Cesar Astudillo | Flickr]
