With reports that Gov. Jennifer Granholm will include a $300 million tax on Michigan's health care system as part of her fiscal year 2010-11 state budget proposal, the 15,000-member Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) and 5,500-member Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) urged lawmakers to reject the new taxing scheme, just as they did less than six months ago.
"Last week, in her State of the State address, Gov. Granholm talked boldly about the path forward for Michigan. This budget proposal rehashes the old, failed proposals that would increase the cost of doing business in Michigan and drive people away to find opportunities in other states," said MSMS President Richard Smith, M.D. "In fact, while a national debate rages on about the best way to make health care more accessible, this plan would make our health care system less accessible and more expensive."
"This huge tax on Michigan's health care system is not a new idea," he continued. "It is not bold or innovative. It is bad policy, however, and a failed taxing scheme that the State Senate already wisely stopped once. We urge the Senate, and their colleagues in the State House, to stop this tax on our health care system once again."
In addition, MSMS and MOA noted this new tax would: