Michigan Senate to vote on changes for teachers retirement health care plans

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Senate is expected to vote on legislation that would end state-provided health care coverage in retirement for new public school hires and require current employees to pay more toward pensions.

The Wednesday legislative session is the only one scheduled for July. The Senate is expected to take up the bill passed last month by the House.

The bill doesn't contain earlier language that would force new teachers into a 401 (k)-style plan. The measure calls for studying how ending the pensions would affect the state.

Democrats and teachers have argued the changes erode promises of pensions and health care coverage in retirement. Republicans say such changes are needed to save the retirement system.

The Republican-led chambers aren't scheduled to hold another session again until mid-August.