Speaker Andy Dillon, left, potential Democratic candidate for governor, meets with Rep. Steve Bieda and Rep. Brian Calley, right. Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon's Health Care Plan May Sink Bid for Guv
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Growing signs are coming from Lansing that Speaker of the House Andy Dillon is moving closer to becoming a Democratic candidate for governor.
Pollsters, however, are dubious about his ability to win votes because died in the wool Democrats think he's been too cozy with Republicans.
Besides making a deal with Senate GOP Leader Mike Bishop for cuts instead of tax hikes to balance the 2010 state budget, Dillon's health care consolidation plan has irked labor leaders.
A recent survey found voters doubt the Dillon plan would save the state $900 million as claimed. Some 65 percent of survey respondents believe the mandatory state government-run health insurance plan actually would cost more.
Some Lansing observers believe there's a 90 percent chance Dillon will challenge Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Alma Wheeler Smith and other potential comers for the Democratic nomination.
Cherry is the front runner and reportedly has lots of organized labor support, but polls reportedly show over 50 percent of Democratic primary voters are undecided.
Pollster Bernie Porn says most Democrats think Dillon will lose votes because of his conciliatory attitude toward Republicans.
Rep. Alma Wheeler-Smith, who has already announced her candidacy for governor, says: "I think he's running for governor. He has used his speakership effectively to do that."
While Wheeler-Smith, 68, is pronounced "unelectable" by some Lansing insiders, Lt. Gov. Cherry is also not sparking support from many voters. The door could be open for Dillon, if he can resolve the criticism he has been taking for his deals with Republicans and skepticism about his health care plan.
The Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel Board of Directors is monitoring Dillon's House Bill 5345 but has not yet come out in outright opposition as has the Michigan Education Association (the teacher's union).
The bill establishes a board that would create and implement uniform health coverage plan(s) known as the "Michigan Health Benefits Program." These plans would be recommended to this board by the Office of the State Employer. There would be no further legislative action once the committee recommended the plans.
The savings from the adoption of these plans are estimated to be up to $900 million. This bill is not on the "fast track" to passage, according to Lansing insiders.
Dillon's health plan includes absolutely EVERY public employee in the State of Michigan -- even the Governor. Everyone whose paycheck comes from public funds will fall into this group.
The legislation talks about five or six different plans becoming available from which various public employers would choose. It affects collective bargaining in that when the contracts in effect on the date of implementation expire, the next contract negotiators will have to select a plan from the Michigan health benefits program.
Michigan voters by 57 percent to 37 percent oppose the mandatory state government-run health insurance plan proposed by House Speaker Andy Dillon, according to a statewide survey conducted by Marketing Resource Group (MRG).
The survey of 600 likely voters on behalf of Citizens for Accountability in Reform, a coalition representing taxpayers, police, firefighters, teachers, insurance companies and others who are concerned that this proposal doesn't provide the reform it promises at a price taxpayers can afford. The survey has an error margin of +4.1 percent.
Some 43 percent said they were "strongly" opposed after hearing arguments both for and against the legislation (only 19 percent "strongly" favor the measure). Some 72 percent of voters who identified themselves as Republicans and 60 percent of self-described Independents are opposed.
"Michigan voters believe it's a bad idea and risky for taxpayers to force all local governments, universities, colleges, local schools, and local police officers and firefighters to buy their health insurance from a state government-run health plan that adds $4 billion or more in liabilities to the state budget," said Paul King, Director of Research Services at MRG. "It also appears Michigan voters understand that creating this massive new insurance plan means the taxpayers would also be responsible for the plan's liabilities. That's a very bitter pill for them to swallow."
Michigan voters also strongly object to the legislation's mandate to force all local governments, school districts, universities, colleges, police and fire fighters, and state government agencies to buy health insurance for their employees from a state government plan that would be controlled by a board of political appointees named by the Governor and Legislature.
Four out of five voters who originally said they'd support the Speaker's proposal would want it to be voluntary if it should ever become law. They believe it's best to allow local government and school district officials to compare public and private plans and choose the right one for them. ###
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