LANSING — House Democrats filed a discharge petition to bring House Bill 5124, which would provide immediate auto insurance rate relief for seniors aged 62 and older, to the House floor for a vote. Republican leadership refused them the opportunity for the bill to be considered. In response, state Rep. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement:
“Seniors who get comprehensive medical coverage through Medicare or another retirement health plan already have the health care benefits they need should they be involved in a serious traffic accident, and they shouldn’t have to pay for double coverage through their auto insurance. House Leadership knows this, which is why it’s incomprehensible to me that they wouldn’t allow House Bill 5124 be brought to a vote today. Passing this bill would save our seniors hundreds — or even thousands of dollars — a year, without making any compromise on the quality or quantity of their health care should they be involved in a catastrophic accident. It’s wrong for politicians to hold seniors hostage while they play political games, and I urge my colleagues to take action to reduce the cost of auto insurance for seniors immediately.”