Thank you for sharing your concern.  House Bill 5014 is an appropriation containing the spending authority for a federal grant to assess what type of technology Michigan would develop for the creation of MiHealth Marketplace and to assess Michigan's health insurance market (proposed budget attached).  Receiving this grant will not commit Michigan to any further action.  It is true that MiHealth Marketplace as proposed by Senator Marleau will have to be self-sustaining by 2015, but the proposed bill also assures no state tax dollars can be spent in the establishment or maintenance of this online health insurance marketplace; effectively assuring no financial burden on the State of Michigan.  Once this nonprofit entity is established, MiHealth Marketplace will be allowed to asses health insurance companies who choose to sell their product on the website similar to how hotels.com  or orbitz.com  operate.

Additionally, developing MiHealth Marketplace will NOT affect the Attorney General's lawsuit, which Senator Marleau has always and continues to support.  In fact, opposing a viable solution like MiHealth Marketplace risks Republican victory in the next election.

Conservative Republican Governor's working towards  something similar to what we have proposed include: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter among others.  Senator Marleau tasked the Senate Republican legal and research teams with reviewing how our legislature could avoid a federal takeover of our health care; what he has proposed is our only viable option and will not infringe on the health insurance options currently available to Michigan residents.

Choosing to do nothing would result in the Federal Government opening an insurance exchange in our state and effectively becoming Michigan's new regulator of health insurance.  Senator Marleau is not willing to gamble the future of our small/large job providers and quality of health care.  There is a long list of organizations who support MiHealth Marketplace yet oppose Obamacare, some of which are:  Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Small Business Association, Michigan Manufacturer's Association and the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents and Michigan Right to Life.  The short list of those who oppose this bill are all "think tanks" who have simply not researched the issue sufficiently.

Attached, is more information for your review.  Please do not be mistaken, no Michigan Legislator has worked harder to protect Michigan from Obamacare than Senator Jim Marleau.

Below, is more information provided by the Detroit News Editorial Board & Crains Detroit Business Journal.

Thadd Gormas, Chief of Staff
Senator Jim Marleau
248.724.2442 office