By:  Lori T. Williams, Owner/Managing Attorney of Your Legal Resource, PLLC

I don’t usually get involved in political fights or legislative disputes, but I want to do whatever I can to help bring attention to the pending legislation to reform the current Michigan No Fault Statute.  In case you haven’t heard about this legislative battle that has been going on the last two years, read my October 4, 2011 blog which explains the basics.

Since then, the legislation initiated by the insurance industry has gained momentum, passing the Senate and the House, and Governor Snyder recently released his plan for No Fault Reform. Under the Governor’s plan, any new catastrophically injured persons would have their medical benefits capped at f $1 Million, rather than the unlimited care they now receive under the No Fault Statute. In exchange for these massive cuts, each Michigan driver is expected to experience a $125 savings on their auto insurance premiums for one year.

http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/TFD/Images/DSC00542.JPG

Does that sound like good math to you?  Not if you are one of the catastrophically injured persons.  House Bill 464 was just introduced, which includes the cap on medical benefits, and Committee Hearings begin this Thursday, April 25th. There is time for you to let your Representatives know your stance on this issue.

Here are the various points of view against modifying the No Fault Statute:

• No-Fault Reforms Leave Public’s Best Interest in the Hands of Greedy Insurance Industry

• Brooks Patterson slams effort to change state’s no-fault insurance law

• Editorial: Gov. Snyder’s auto insurance reform offers little savings to drivers

• No-fault auto insurance reform plan would cap benefits, lower rates

• Steven M. Gursten: Profits, not medical claims, drive up cost of auto insurance in Michigan

Here are the earlier points of view (mostly articulated by the Insurance industry) in favor of modifying the Statute:

• Bill aimed at reforming Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance would cap injury coverage at $50K

• Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system reforms introduced in Senate

• Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association’s Plan of Operation

• Yet, an Analysis of the Financial Condition of the MCCA  reflects that there is no financial reason to make these cuts, other than profits for the insurance company.

You decide!

Let your local politicians and Governor Synder know where you stand on this issue.  It is too important for Michigan residents to just wait and see what happens on this one.  The insurance companies won’t stop until they win their crusade to eliminate lifetime benefits for the catastrophically injured drivers or passengers.  They don’t care if a drunk driver changes your life forever, or if someone falls asleep at the wheel  and you or a loved one suffers the consequences.  Don’t let them take your rights away.

I’m not anti-Governor Synder.  I voted for him.  I appreciate he’s trying to get Michigan in better financial shape.  However, this is not the way to do it.  Lives are at stake here.

Take a stand against this No Fault Reform.   It might just save a life.