LANSING – House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) today announced the creation of the new Retiree Health Care Reforms Committee, which will focus on addressing the billions of dollars of unfunded liabilities for retiree health care.
"Michigan is facing a looming crisis in retiree health care brought on by skyrocketing health care costs, and without action the problem only stands to get worse," Dillon said. "The Retiree Health Care Reforms Committee is charged with finding solutions to the liabilities for retiree health care."
Michigan's crisis in retiree health care is estimated to total about $20 billion. The high cost of health care is putting immense pressure on Michigan's budget, and drawing resources away from other vital services. The Retiree Health Care Reforms Committee is charged with finding ways for the state to shore up funding for health care and save the state money on health care costs for state retirees and employees.
Dillon appointed State Representative Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) to Chair the committee. State Representatives Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw), Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) Lorence Wenke (R-Richland) and Brian Calley (R-Portland) also will serve on the committee.
"This committee will examine ways to ensure that employees who have dedicated their lives to public service are protected from losing their health care in their golden years," Meadows said. "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to resolve the problem of unfunded health care liabilities."