Opinion: No-fault insurance changes are bad idea

The House Republican majority recently voted Auto Insurance No-Fault reform legislation out of committee. This legislation would cap coverage and care for drivers and injured victims without guaranteeing any real cost savings on premiums.

To make matters worse, on the last day of committee debate, House Republicans offered amendments and put them up for votes, in other words, ram-rodding this legislation down the throats of the citizens in Michigan. Members of the public, including accident victims, had arrived to offer testimony to the committee. Unfortunately, the Republican committee chairman Rep. Peter Lund did not allow time for public testimony, which further demonstrated this Republican legislature's disconnect with the people they claim to represent.

Can you imagine the public's voice being silenced during such important legislative deliberation?

This legislation claims to reduce the high auto insurance rates we pay in Michigan, but at no point during committee testimony was there any proof offered that this will be the case. Instead, the changes are focused on saving money for insurance companies by capping the amount of personal protection insurance a driver can buy and limiting home care services for current and future victims.

Among other things, HB 4936 would mandate government price controls in the form of workers compensation fee schedules on health care providers treating auto accident victims, impose lifetime caps on auto injury benefits and set attendant care and nursing payment rates for those caring for catastrophically injured accident victims.

The bottom line is these proposed reforms take away protections critical to helping Michigan residents recover from catastrophic accidents with no evidences that the rates they pay for their auto insurance policies will be reduced.

The only group that benefits from this legislation is the insurance companies. Insurance companies have donated big dollars to Republicans and wrote the legislation, proving to be another big business legislative initiative supported by the Republican lawmakers.

I do not support legislation that will hurt my constituents. My job in Lansing is to fight for the people, not the special interests. This legislation is irresponsible, and will hurt families and communities. Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican leadership in the House and Senate pushed a big business agenda at the expense of hard working Michigan citizens.

(State Rep. Woodrow Stanley represents a portion of Flint. Call him toll-free at (888) WOOD-034 (966-3034) or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)