While disappointment and frustration remain, there is reason to be optimistic
While disappointment and frustration remain, there is reason to be optimistic
Looking toward January after the Legislature adjourned “sine die”
On November 14th Michigan Legislature adjourned early, ending session for the remainder of this calendar year, In a process coined “sine die”. By adjourning “without date” or without a return date the Democratic majority is able to have legislation passed during this term take immediate effect. You can read MBIPC’s press release on this process here.
The decision to end session early wasn’t much of a surprise– rumors of sine die had been circulating since late spring, so advocates for any issue were aware that time was more limited this year than usual legislative sessions to get a new law through the legislative process. This was one reason why MBIPC had pushed so hard for urgent action; however, the primary reason for urgent action of course remains the thousands of people injured since the passage of Public Act 21 of 2019 who continue to endure the Crisis in Care.
It remains nearly inconceivable that we are still in this position. Objective data has been provided, hundreds of media stories have been published, and disability rights advocates continue to echo the calls of the rehabilitation and care provider community – people are needlessly suffering because the law that slashed reimbursement levels below the cost of care remains untouched.
How “lifetime” benefits have become effectively useless
There is the humanitarian perspective of the Crisis in Care, but there is also a justice perspective. It is simply unjust for our lawmakers to continue to delay implementation of a reasonable solution, thus allowing auto insurance carriers to sell policies that cannot provide the benefits consumers are paying for.
Ever since the 2019 auto insurance reforms, a majority of Michiganders have chosen to keep their unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, which should pay for all reasonably necessary services, products and accommodations for their recovery, rehabilitation and care, should they get into a car crash. But because of the nearly 50% cut in catastrophic care included in the 2019 law, those benefits have become effectively worthless—and insurance companies are cashing in on the scam. Click here to read more and watch a brief video.
Why we have reason to be optimistic
While disappointment and frustration remain over the inability of our legislature to pass the reasonable solutions of Senate Bills 530, 531 and 575, there is reason to be optimistic. We continue to have the strong support of the bill package sponsors as well as the Senate leadership; and we know we have bi-partisan support for reasonable solutions in the House. We also have the commitment of the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee Chair. In her recent press release, Chair Brenda Carter stated “Patients without care is unacceptable, and making people choose between rent and complying with the law because of high rates is equally abhorrent.” She has made a commitment to a deliberative process to pass solutions.
The acknowledgement that patients are indeed without care and solutions must be found is something we have not previously heard from the chair of the House Insurance and Financial Services. MBIPC continues to be committed to working with our elected officials to ensure they understand the calamity of the Crisis in Care and the unjust insurance scam that must be stopped.
Our hope is that even though the legislative session has officially ended, key leaders continue to work over the next two months so that solutions can advance swiftly when they return in January 2024.
Sincerely,
Tom Judd
Executive Director
