Township-Area Legislators Lose Retiree Health Coverage

West Bloomfield's second-term state representatives, Lisa Brown and Gail Haines, no longer qualify for retiree health insurance under a law cancelling that benefit for future Michigan lawmakers and most current ones.

Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday afternoon signed a measure ending medical coverage for ex-lawmakers, a 54-year-old benefit that cost about $5.3 million in the last budget year.

The law's language, resulting from a compromise between the House and Senate, preserves future benefits for members who've qualified for them or will do so by the time this session ends Jan. 1, 2013. Senators voted 37-1 in favor of that bill Oct. 5 and the House went along a day later in a 96-11 vote.

Brown and Haines both supported the law, as did Sen. Mike Kowall.

Kowall, who also represents West Bloomfield in Lansing, served four years in the House (1999-2003) and began a four-year Senate term in January. He'll have the required six-year tenure needed by 2013 to qualify for retirement medical coverage.

About four dozen other legislators also keep medical coverage once they turn 55, according to the Associated Press. When an ex-lawmaker becomes eligible for Medicare, the benefit expires or is good only for supplemental coverage.

Rep. Marty Knollenberg, a Republican representing Troy and Clawson, told the Detroit Free Press that he preferred ending the "ridiculous perk" for everyone, but considers the compromise a worthwhile move.

Language passes earlier this year by the House would have limit the benefits to those who became qualified participants in the system before Jan. 1, 2007. The vast majority of current lawmakers would not have been eligible under that plan.

Members of the Michigan Legislature receive a base salary of $71,650 per year, the second-highest level after California.

These lists show how the new law affects Southeast Oakland lawmakers:

Affected               

• Sen. Vincent Gregory, first term representing Huntington Woods, Ferndale and other areas after two years in the House.
• Rep. Ellen Cogin Lipton, second term representing Berkley, Ferndale, Huntington Woods and other areas. 
• Rep. Jim Townsend, first term representing Royal Oak and Madison Heights.
• Rep. Tom McMillin, second term representing Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and other areas.
• Sen. Jim Marleau, representing most of northern Oakland County.

Not affected

• Sen. John Pappageorge of Troy, a member of both chambers since 1998. His district includes Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Clawson and Royal Oak.
• Rep. Chuck Moss, representing Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township since 2007.