Thank you to all who followed up and contacted legislators last night and this morning.  Over 700 emails were sent in!  Your communication helped us defeat the Obama Health Insurance Exchanges in the Health Policy Committee this morning.  The count was 5-YES, 9-NO, and 2-PASS.  Not sure how each member voted but will update you later.  Based on the content of the Speaker's Press Release, it sounds like he is not going to revisit the issue!

Here is the text of a Press Release the Speaker just sent out:

LANSING - Speaker of the House Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, issued the following statement regarding this morning's Health Policy Committee vote on a state-run health exchange:

"It was my hope the committee would find that a state-run exchange afforded us more control over the unacceptable over-reach by the federal government regarding the health care of Michigan citizens.  After due diligence, however, it is clear that there were too many unanswered questions for the committee to feel comfortable with a state-run exchange and we will not have one in Michigan.  I applaud Committee Chair Gail Haines for her leadership and the large amount of testimony and discussion she welcomed on this issue.  I know her focus never wavered from what is best for Michigan's citizens.

"The committee apparently was not able to get the answers to key questions or receive assurances about major concerns regarding costs for Michigan taxpayers, the ability to adopt a model the federal government wouldn't ultimately control, or the ability to protect religious freedom for Michigan citizens.  Because the committee could not be assured that a state exchange was the best way to protect Michigan's citizens, it is understandable why they did not approve the bill."

Stay alert!  There is also the possibility the Governor could try to do it through executive order.  But, for now, we have a victory.  We will do our best to stay on top of the situation and keep you informed.  Be at the ready!  Thanks, again conservative warriors.  You are the modern day Minutemen!

Joan Fabiano over at Grassroots In Michigan provides some additional details, specifically the breakdown of the House Committee on Health Policy votes:

Voting "no":

• Joseph Graves (R) 51st District
  
• Tom Hooker (R) 77th District
  
• Holly Hughes (R) 91st District
  
• Matt Huuki (R) 110th District
  
• Ken Kurtz (R) 58th District
  
• Paul Muxlow (R) 83rd District
  
• Paul Opsommer (R) 93rd District
  
• Mike Shirkey (R) 65th District
  
• Ken Yonker (R) 72nd District

Voting "yes":

• Mike Callton (R) 87th District - Majority Vice-Chair
  
• George Darany (D) 15th District
  
• Tim Greimel (D) 29th District
  
• Gail Haines (R) 43rd District - Committee Chair
  
• Thomas Stallworth (D) 8th District

Voting "pass":

• Marcia Hovey-Wright (D) 92nd District
  
• Kate Segal (D) 62nd District
  
• Wayne Schmidt (R) 104th District

Apparently didn't vote:

• Lesia Liss (D) 28th District - Minority Vice-Chair
  
• Jimmy Womack (D) 7th District