New Medicaid Expansion Bill Introduced

New Medicaid Expansion Bill Introduced

Legislation was introduced this week to expand Medicaid coverage for Michigan citizens. The proposal called for by Governor Snyder and built into his budget proposal is 100% funded by federal dollars and would add over 400,000 newly eligible people to the program.

The legislation provides individuals with income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level the choice of obtaining Medicaid coverage or private health insurance. The program would be available to qualified nondisabled adults between 21 and 65 years of age; however, recipients would be prospectively limited to 48 months of coverage.

House Bill 4714 requires the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to seek a waiver for the federal government to fully fund the expansion program. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the federal government would fully fund the Medicaid expansion from 2014-2017, but states would be required to pay for 10 percent of it by 2020. House Bill 4714 stipulates the state would opt out of the program if it is no longer 100 percent federally funded.

The bill would also create health savings accounts requiring recipients to contribute up to 5 percent of their annual income to their coverage through co-pays, deductibles, premiums, etc. Additionally, recipients would be ensured access to primary and preventive care, incentives for healthy behavior would be created, the use of telemedicine would be required, and abuse and fraud initiatives would be instituted.

House Bill 4714, introduced by Rep. Matt Lori (R-Constantine), was referred to the House Committee on Michigan Competitiveness. It is important to note that this legislation is vastly different from Gov. Snyder’s Medicaid expansion proposal announced in February. Thus, the Administration and legislative leaders will need to work together over the next few weeks to finalize a Medicaid expansion proposal.

Meanwhile, the Senate Republican Caucus spent a considerable amount of time on Thursday discussing the MDCH budget and Medicaid reform at its retreat. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville indicated the MDCH budget will be reported out by the full Appropriations Committee next week and sent to the floor for debate and final passage.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, May 10, 2013 12:07 PM
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First Bills in Transportation Package Advance in House

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed two bills this week that could ultimately be included in a package that addresses Gov. Snyder’s request for nearly $1.2 billion in new transportation funding. The bills passed along party-line votes, with all of the Republicans supporting the legislation.

House Bills 4571 and 4572 would impose a new 4 percent wholesale tax on aviation fuel and exempt aviation fuel from state sales tax. The committee also deliberated on House Bill 4677 which would allocate a portion of the aviation sales tax revenue to the Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF). Additionally, the bill would redirect a portion of the CTF revenue to the School Aid Fund in an effort to address the funding shortfall caused by passage of House Bill 4572. In the end, the committee did not take action on 4677. House Bills 4571 and 4572 now head to the full House for consideration.

Meanwhile, the Senate Infrastructure and Modernization Committee met to discuss the current road funding formula and options to revamp how the state will fund infrastructure projects in the future. The Senate committee did not advance any proposals during the meeting.

posted by PAA Online , 12:06 PM
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State Senate Pass Bills Amending Liquor Control Act

The state Senate passed two bills amending the Michigan Liquor Control Act to allow wine tastings at farmers markets and the refilling and selling of growlers (resealable container).

Senate Bills 79 and 279 would allow a qualified small vintner to conduct wine tastings and to sell wine at a farmer’s market. The Liquor Control Commission would issue an annual farmer’s market permit to wine makers that do not manufacture more than 5,000 gallons of wine annually. Only one farmer’s market permit would be issued in a county where the qualified wine maker is located and no winery could hold more than five permits at one time.

Additionally, Senate Bill 27 was advanced. Under the provisions of this legislation, eligible merchants would be permitted to sell and refill any growler filled with beer for off-premises consumption, as long as the liquid capacity is one gallon or less. After passage by the state Senate, both bills were referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.

posted by PAA Online , 12:05 PM
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Electric Regulation Laws Reviewed and Polled

The House Energy & Technology Committee continued deliberations on whether Michigan residents can choose their electric provider. In particular, discussions surrounded the laws requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission’s to limit electric provider choice at 10 percent. Committee Chair Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) noted the importance of discussing this issue globally as utilities are currently working toward meeting new renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements by 2015.

On a related note, the Michigan Jobs and Energy Coalition released a poll last week indicating that only 2 percent of Michigan voters felt that the regulation of electric utilities was a priority for state lawmakers to address. Additionally, the poll revealed that keeping electric prices predictable and affordable was more important to respondents than market deregulation or accessing market based pricing.

posted by PAA Online , 12:04 PM
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U.S. Senate Passes Internet Sales Tax Collections Legislation

The U.S. Senate passed legislation last week that could end sales tax free, online purchases. The legislation, called the Marketplace Fairness Act, would require online retailers to collect sales taxes from customers and send them back to state and local governments. Under current law, sales tax can only be collected from retailers that have a physical presence in a state. States would be required to provide software that would calculate the taxes. The bill does not apply to businesses with annual online sales less than $1 million.

The Marketplace Fairness Act now heads to the U.S. House for consideration where it faces an uncertain future. President Obama has indicated he would sign the legislation if passed by both Chambers.

posted by PAA Online , 12:03 PM
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May 3rd Survey Results

In the May 3^rd edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked now that U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield) has officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, speculation has picked-up regarding his potential replacement. Who do you think will be the Democratic nominee to replace Mr. Peters in the U.S. House 14th Michigan District?

43 percent of respondents answered former U.S. Representative Hansen Clark, and 29 percent answered current House Democratic Floor Leader Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield). State Senator Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield) picked-up 14 percent of respondents, as did “other.”

posted by PAA Online , 12:03 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Ananich Wins State Senate Seat

On Tuesday, State Representative Jim Ananich easily won the special election in the 27^th Senate District. The seat was vacated when former Sen. John Gleason won the Genesee County Clerk /Register of Deeds position in November. While the election results have not been officially certified, it is likely that Mr. Ananich will be sworn into the Michigan Senate on Tuesday. Ananich’s win has left a vacancy in the 49^th House District, meaning Gov. Snyder will need to schedule a special election to fill that seat.

Rep. Rogers Endorsed for FBI Director

An organization representing more than 12,000 active and retired FBI agents called on President Obama to nominate Rep. Mike Rogers as director of the bureau. Rogers left the FBI in 1994 after serving more than five years as a special agent in Chicago focusing on organized crime. He is in his seventh term in Congress and is currently the Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In addition to this endorsement, Rep. Rogers has been mentioned as a candidate to replace retiring US Sen. Carl Levin.

Gov. Snyder Declares Flood-Related Disaster in 19 Counties and 2 Cities

Gov. Snyder declared a flood-related disaster for 19 counties and two cities, including Grand Rapids and Comstock Park. The affected counties include Baraga, Barry, Benzie, Genesee, Gogebic, Gratiot, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa and Saginaw. The Governor also requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency assist state officials in assessing the damages to homeowners and businesses. This step will support ongoing recovery efforts and to ensure all avenues of assistances are being pursued.

Mark Schauer Receives Endorsements

Democratic momentum appears to be building for former Congressman Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) to challenge Gov. Snyder next year. Former Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) and State Board of Education President John Austin both announced their support for Schauer last week. Schauer is currently exploring a campaign for governor and is likely to make an announcement in the near future. Both Mr. Stupak and Mr. Austin have been mentioned as possible candidates. The field now appears to be clearing for a Snyder vs. Schauer race in 2014.

posted by PAA Online , 12:02 PM
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Question of the Week 5/10/13

posted by PAA Online , 10:43 AM
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