State Rep. Mai Xiong delivering a speech on the House Floor in the Michigan Capitol Building on June 20, 2024.
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 12, 2024 — State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) introduced legislation that lowers the health insurance cost for public employees and their families, contains future increases in these costs, and provides more flexibility in negotiations for both public employers and public employees. House Bill 6058 increases the dollar amounts to keep up with inflation and provides that public employees cannot be required to pay more than 20% of the health care costs.
“Our teachers, police officers and other public employees deserve affordable health care plans,” Xiong said. “This bill will make the necessary changes to ensure our public servants can continue to afford the health care insurance they and their families need. As our classrooms and other public services face staffing shortages, this bill will also help attract and retain public employees in our state, ensuring our communities can continue benefiting from the crucial services they provide.”
The bill amends the Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, which mandates public employees pay 20% or more of their total health care costs, prohibits public employers from paying more than 80% of these costs and provides maximum dollar amounts.
“Public employees are essential to the education, safety and health of our communities — they should never have to choose between keeping food on the table and accessing health care,” Xiong continued. “I am committed to lowering the costs of health care and prescription drugs for working families. This bill will ensure our public employers are equipped to cover the comprehensive health benefits their employees need.”
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