Lakes Area Tea Party Applauds Health Care Policy Committee
West Bloomfield - The Lakes Area Tea Party applauds the bi-partisan decision to reject the formation of a State Health Insurance Exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (Obamacare), thus joining 20 other States to prevent the adoption of any such State Exchange legislatively. “We appreciate the efforts of many Tea Parties, along with dozens of other groups and business owners, across the state who contacted their Legislators and asked them to oppose Senate Bill 693,” said Marian Sheridan, spokesperson for the Lakes Area Tea Party. SB 693 failed in committee this morning by a 9-5-2 vote.
“We also appreciate the time Gail Haines, House Health Policy Chair, and many other Representatives on the committee spent listening to hundreds of concerned citizens who came to Lansing this week and the thousands more who contacted lawmakers by phone or email. This action demonstrates that vigilant citizens can make a difference and that lawmakers do listen when a strong case is made by the voters,” Sheridan continued.
Tim Bos, grassroots activist asked, “Is it responsible to sign a contract which binds Michigan’s citizens to paying for a system in which the costs and source of funding is unknown. Furthermore, the exchanges would be subject to federal rules that do not yet exist with no guarantee state wishes will be honored.” Clearly the majority of lawmakers agreed it is not a responsible action. “If this is truly a shopping experience, a true marketplace, then let the health insurance providers establish a private exchange without taxpayer funds. Good ideas don’t need to be regulated and forced upon us,” said Deb O’Hagan of the Lakes Area Tea Party. This message resonates with the general Tea Party principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility.
We would consider any attempt by Governor Snyder to enact an exchange through either a false Partnership-Exchange or an Executive Order, to be irresponsible. We agree these same principles apply regardless of where the request is coming from.
