State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) speaks on House Bill 6058 on the House Floor in the Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing on Dec. 13, 2024.
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 13, 2024 — The Michigan House took an important step today to support public employees and their families by passing House Bill 6058, sponsored by state Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren). This legislation ensures that public employees will not pay more than 20% of the total health care plan costs, providing much-needed relief as health care expenses continue to rise. By addressing these challenges, this bill will help make public service a more sustainable and accessible career path for Michiganders.
“This bill represents a crucial step in addressing the staffing crisis in Michigan’s public sector and ensuring that public employees and their families have access to the affordable health care they deserve,” Xiong said. “From our classrooms to fire stations and city services, public employees are the backbone of our communities. Rising health care costs have made it harder for these dedicated individuals to stay in their roles, let alone attract new talent to public service. I am deeply grateful for the collaborative efforts of my colleagues and the stakeholders who helped move this legislation forward.”
The bill amends the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, also known as the 80/20 law, to make 80% the floor instead of the ceiling for the public employer’s share of health care costs. Additionally, it increases hard dollar amounts for existing agreements to keep up with inflation and provides greater flexibility for employers and employees in the bargaining process.
“By passing House Bill 6058, we are not only providing immediate relief to public employees but also taking meaningful action to secure the future of public service in Michigan,” Xiong said. “We’re putting money back in working people’s pockets, all while working to retain and attract more teachers, public safety officers and municipal workers to our hometowns — this is how we can begin to solve the staffing crisis and build a stronger Michigan.”
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