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Members of the Michigan House Democrats' Women's Health and Economic Security Task Force, led by co-chairs Reps. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), presented their policy initiatives to improve workplace equity, access to women's health care and to make it easier for families to care for their children and aging parents at a press conference at the state Capitol today. The policy proposals are the result of suggestions made by the public at town hall-style meetings held across the state this summer, as well as some proposals already introduced by House Democrats this legislative session.

Workplace Equity
· Prohibit employers from providing unequal compensation for work of comparable value on the basis of sex (HB 4518 - Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
· Prohibit workplace discrimination based on reproductive health decisions
· Encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in math and science
Access to Health Care
· Urge the state to address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (HR 138 - Rep. Winnie Brinks)
· Require doctors to give women information on dense breast tissue, which is associated with a higher risk for cancer, and encourage those women to consider other screening options (HB 4260 - Rep. Brinks)
· Enact mental health parity by ensuring state policies grant access to mental health care
Child and Elder Care
· Create a state income tax credit to defray the cost of child or dependent care expenses (HB 4005 - Rep. Dian Slavens)
· Restore the $600 per-child tax deduction (HB 4562 - Rep. Brinks)
· Help seniors stay at home by expanding funding for Medicaid waivers that allow seniors to receive care at home, rather than moving to a nursing home.

For More Information Visit: www.housedemtaskforces.com

LANSING — House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee Rep. Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) and other members of the House Democratic Caucus announced today that the entire caucus vehemently opposes House Bill 4612, legislation that cuts the amount of care available to those catastrophically injured in auto accidents and locks in an insurance premium rate cut for only one year.
"This is a bill that every member of our caucus agrees would hurt the residents we represent," said Greimel. "It is clear to each of our members that this is another example of Gov. Rick Snyder and some legislative Republicans choosing big corporations over Michigan residents, and this time insurance companies win over the catastrophically injured. As Democrats, we put people before profits, a concept the Republican majority cannot fathom."
Under the bill, there would be a $1 million cap placed on personal protection insurance (PIP) coverage for policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2013. There would also be new limits on rehabilitative care and new co-pay costs on those receiving attendant care.
"As the Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee, I have had the opportunity to hear testimony from doctors, insurance providers and numerous Michigan residents about the ways in which this bill would harm the people of our state," said Segal. "Those who are injured in catastrophic auto accidents deserve every bit of care currently available to them; to limit the amount and types of benefits to which they are entitled is cruel. This bill guts the benefits and opportunities our current system provides to accident victims, thereby completely undermining future victims' recovery before it even starts."
On top of the benefits cap, the bill would also phase out the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) and replace it with the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Corporation (MCCC), another private entity. The MCCA would continue to pay its current claims until it pays its final liability. It would remain shielded from making any new disclosures about its use of the money collected from Michigan citizens.
Under the bill, motorists would still pay a yearly fee set by and paid to the MCCC, plus an additional $25 that would go to a Medicaid fund. Although certain disclosures are required, as a private entity, the new MCCC would not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
"Republicans are trying to fool Michigan residents by claiming this bill is necessary to reduce the cost of auto insurance. Unfortunately for them, we know how to read," said Rep. Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit), chairman of the House Detroit Caucus. "As written, HB 4612 only promises an annual rate reduction of $125 for the first year. Following that year, insurance agencies can raise the rates at their discretion. This reform does not benefit Michiganders, it was written to increase profits in the insurance sector."
Additionally, this week the House Detroit Caucus unanimously voted to oppose the legislation as well.

The Michigan House Democrats introduced a resolution today calling for an investigation into Michigan's high gasoline prices, which were recently named the highest in the continental U.S. House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), joined by Reps. Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) and Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) urged state Attorney General Bill Schuette to open an investigation into recent high gas prices and prosecute any producer, wholesaler or retailer suspected of price fixing.

"Michigan drivers deserve to know why they're paying more for a gallon of gasoline here than any other place in the continental U.S.," Greimel said. "High gas prices are hurting Michigan's drivers and scaring away visitors at the height of our tourist season. If the cost for gasoline is being unfairly set by unscrupulous producers, wholesalers or retailers, those vendors need to be prosecuted."

A recent survey by AAA of Michigan found that Michigan's average price of gasoline stood at $4.22 per gallon, compared to a national average of $3.64 per gallon, making Michigan the state with the highest gas prices in the continental U.S. Michigan's high gasoline prices have been blamed on refinery problems in Illinois and Indiana that have caused a shortage of gasoline, but reporters looking into the issue have said that details about the refinery problems are hard to come by.

"State Attorney General Bill Schuette needs to investigate these claims of gasoline shortages and determine whether big oil companies are being honest with Michiganders or whether they are colluding to unfairly increase gas prices," Lamonte, sponsor of House Resolution 170, said. "Middle-class families shouldn't have to pay as much as $90 to fill up the family car. There must be a consequence for taking advantage of Michigan's drivers."

The legislators urged citizens to join the effort to open a gas price investigation. Voters can sign a petition at LowerMIGasPrices.com to join the call for an investigation.

"Everyone who feels pain at the pump should tell the attorney general that he must take action," Dillon said. "People are busting their budgets just to drive to work, go to the grocery store and get their kids to the doctor. We need relief now."

LANSING - State Representatives Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores), Tom Cochran (D-Mason) and Andy Schor (D-Lansing) announced at a press conference today the introduction of eight bills designed to shed light on hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as "fracking." Nic Clark, executive director of Michigan Clean Water Action, and Jack Schmitt of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters joined the representatives at their press conference. The package of legislation will provide transparency for families and individuals, protect public health and water quality, hold drilling companies accountable and protect our state's tourism industry.

For More Information Visit www.protectmiwater.com

Detroit Democratic Caucus Chairman Representative Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit), joined by Detroit Democratic Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit) announced their own auto no-fault reform package that would save Michigan residents money while fighting fraud and demanding transparency from the insurance industry.

State Representatives Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak), Jon M. Switalski (D-Warren), Adam F. Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) and Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) today announced the Republican Tax-O-Meter, a virtual display of by-the-second tax shifts in Michigan. These tax shifts are taking away money from the average citizen and giving it to wealthy CEOs and corporations. Gov. Rick Snyder and Legislative Republicans have increased Michigan's middle-class families' tax burden by $4,320,822 a day — or $50 every second. Because of this, the House Democrats are focused on restoring tax credits and deductions to middle-class families and repealing taxes on retirees.

Visit www.mitax-o-meter.com for more information.