Senate Republican Priorities

Senate Republicans are making good on their promises. They are delivering substantial reforms to create jobs, reduce unnecessary regulations, and improve the quality of life for Michigan families.

Spur Job Growth

Reform Personal Property Tax
Cut Through the Red Tape for Business Growth
Rebuild Our Roads and Bridges

Strengthen Education

Increase Education Options

Protect the Rights of Citizens

Clarify Medical Marijuana
Ban Partial Birth Abortion
Senior Protection
Restore the American Dream

Continue Government Reforms

Make Government More Accountable
Insurance Reform

From the Senate Floor

Michigan Senate Republicans Floor Statements

Senators Caswell and Pappageorge refute false claims made regarding the lowering of personal property taxes on small businesses in Michigan.

Recent Blogs from Senate Republicans

Memorial Day (read)

Health Care Reforms

Affordable, Accessible Health Care

Currently, Michigan is home to an estimated 1.1 million residents who do not have health insurance, which is equal to 11.5 percent of the state's population. This number is likely to increase unless the economy improves.

Michigan Senate Republicans understand many residents are afraid that they may not be able to afford health insurance. In the last legislative session we tried to address these concerns before they became an issue for the people of Michigan, but unfortunately, the House did not agree.

To tackle this growing healthcare problem, the Senate Republicans last session introduced legislation designed to provide affordable, basic health care coverage options to Michigan residents. Additionally, it included measures to help people lead healthier lives, contain the growth of health care costs, improve the health of those on Medicaid, and control Medicaid health care costs in the long-run. Unfortunately, the bipartisan Senate effort was ignored by the House.

Medicaid Reforms

Senate Republicans last session enacted a measure that requires the Department of Community Health to implement healthy behavior incentives and provider pay-for-performance measures in the Medicaid program. The federal government Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has not yet approved the waiver. We call upon the governor to act as an advocate for the state of Michigan and bring affordable health care options to the neediest individuals in this state by fighting to get this waiver approved. Funds have been appropriated for this program, but they sit idle in the budget as the state waits for approval of the waiver. If the governor is serious about providing healthcare to the people of Michigan, she should be relentless in her efforts to finalize this waiver.

Senate Republicans will not be deterred by the inaction of the House regarding this matter or the failure of the governor to obtain a much needed Medicaid waiver. Instead, in the coming session, Senate Republicans will engage in groundbreaking efforts to develop a package that will make insurance more affordable and accessible for the people of Michigan. Our focus will be on getting people the health insurance that they need so they can live healthy and well.

We will also address the cost of Medicaid to the state. Currently the Medicaid budget consumes a majority of the Department of Community Health budget. If we do not act soon to reform the Medicaid system, we may not be able to afford to cover those who desperately need health care but cannot afford it.

Senate Republicans are going to continually push for reforms to the Medicaid system so that it becomes more cost-efficient, and everyone who is entitled to benefits receives the benefits they deserve. We will look intensely at the efficiency of the Medicaid system and focus on reforms that improve the delivery of Medicaid benefits. We have at our disposal 21st century technology; it is time that we use it to deliver benefits to the people of the 21st century. If we can improve efficiency and reduce processing errors, then we are one-step closer to tackling the structural problems present in the Medicaid system.

News items related to Health Care Reforms

KAHN LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH STATEWIDE TRAUMA SYSTEM SENT TO GOVERNOR

Kahn legislation to establish statewide trauma system sent to governor [more]

SENATE APPROVES KAHNS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH STATEWIDE TRAUMA SYSTEM

Senate approves Kahns legislation to establish statewide trauma system [more]

BILLS STRENGTHENING DAY CARE PROVIDER GUIDELINES SIGNED INTO LAW

The bipartisan legislation creates reporting guidelines for day care providers so that parents and guardians will have more information when making selections. [more]

LEGISLATION ENSURING FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN PERSONAL HEALTH CARE DECISIONS DEFEATED IN SENATE

A proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution that would continue to allow state residents the freedom to provide for their own health care was defeated Tuesday by opponents in the Michigan Senate. [more]

SEN. JANSEN TESTIFIES ON BILLS TO CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH CARE COSTS

Sen. Mark C. Jansen, R-Gaines Township, testified Tuesday before a Senate panel on his legislation designed to help control costs and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent more efficiently. [more]

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