© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The bill changing Blue Cross Blue Shield to be signed into law Monday

Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio

Governor Snyder is scheduled to sign a law tomorrow that will transform Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan into a customer-owned non-profit insurance company.

Supporters say the change will make Michigan’s health insurance market more competitive.

But the AARP and other opponents complain the change will eventually cost nearly 200 thousand Michigan senior citizens the Medi-gap coverage they need.

Mark Hornbeck is with AARP. He says Michigan seniors are already struggling with the state’s new tax on pensions, the loss of the senior state income tax deduction and a reduction in the homestead property tax exemption.

“We think seniors are getting hit hard enough without also having to pay additional money for Medi-gap,” says Hornbeck.

Hornbeck says most current Medi-gap users will lose their state subsidy beginning in 2016.  

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
Related Content