SCHOOL HEALTH COSTS LANSING, MICH. (AP) (wgvu) - THE GOP-LED STATE SENATE NARROWLY APPROVED
BILLS AIMED AT LOWERING THE HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS OF K-12 SCHOOLS
AND OTHER PUBLIC EMPLOYERS.
IT'S A KEY CHANGE REPUBLICANS WANT IN EXCHANGE FOR BACKING A TAX
INCREASE.
DEMOCRATS STILL OPPOSED THE MEASURE BECAUSE IT IS NOT DIRECTLY
LINKED TO HIGHER TAX REVENUE. BUT THERE'S HOPE AMONG THE GOP THAT
THE 20-18 VOTE WOULD GET A RESPONSE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED
HOUSE.
REPUBLICANS WANT A TAX INCREASE TO ORIGINATE THERE.
THE LEGISLATION WOULD LET SCHOOLS, PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS POOL THEIR WORKERS' HEALTH COVERAGE AND REQUIRE PUBLIC
EMPLOYERS TO COMPETITIVELY SOLICIT BIDS FOR HEALTH BENEFITS. THE
MEASURE COULD SAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR IN SCHOOL
DISTRICTS.

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