1/19/13 - A local lawmaker introduced new Blue Cross Blue Shield reform legislation this week after Governor Snyder rejected similar legislation late last year. Republican Senator Joe Hune from Hamburg teamed up with Democrat Virgil Smith from Detroit to introduce the legislation on Wednesday. Senate Bills 61 and 62 will overhaul Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan by turning it into a nonprofit mutual insurance company, ending its tax-exempt status and setting up a nonprofit foundation to maintain its charitable activities. Blue Cross Blue Shield reform legislation passed both houses but was vetoed by Governor Snyder in December due to abortion language, which the Republican governor said interfered too much with private business. The new bills are identical to that legislation except for the abortion language, which was removed. AARP of Michigan is concerned that if the bills are signed into law, the change would hit senior citizens, who are poor or have disabilities, the hardest. AARP Manager of Advocacy Lisa Cooper says this will affect mostly people who live on fixed incomes and fall well below poverty level. Hune expects the new legislation to pass the senate and perhaps the house within the next couple of weeks. (TD)
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