Rochester-Area Legislators Lose Retiree Health Coverage

Rep. Tom McMillin, a second-term lawmaker serving Rochester and Rochester Hills, no longer qualifies for retiree health insurance under a law cancelling that benefit for future Michigan lawmakers and most current ones.

Sen. Jim Marleau, in his first term, will also not be eligible for benefits.

Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday afternoon signed a measure ending medical coverage for ex-lawmakers, a 54-year-old benefit that cost about $5.3 million in the last budget year.

The law's language, resulting from a compromise between the House and Senate, preserves future benefits for members who have served six years by the time this session ends Jan. 1, 2013. Senators voted 37-1 in favor of that bill Oct. 5 and the House went along a day later in a 96-11 vote.

McMillin supported the bill.

"I am pleased that the Legislature has taken the steps to eliminate this lavish benefit," he stated in a news release. "While it is only a small portion of the budget, it is a solid step in the right direction as the Legislature begins to lead by example during these tough economic times."

About four dozen legislators keep medical coverage once they turn 55, according to the Associated Press. When an ex-lawmaker becomes eligible for Medicare, the benefit expires or is good only for supplemental coverage.

Members of the Michigan Legislature receive a base salary of $71,650 per year, the second-highest level after California.

These lists show how the new law affects Southeast Oakland lawmakers:

Affected               

• Sen. Vincent Gregory, first term representing Huntington Woods, Ferndale and other areas after two years in the House.
• Rep. Ellen Cogin Lipton, second term representing Berkley, Ferndale, Huntington Woods and other areas. 
• Rep. Jim Townsend, first term representing Royal Oak and Madison Heights.
• Rep. Lisa Brown, second term representing West Bloomfield, Commerce Township and Wolverine Lake.
• Rep. Gail Haines, second term representing a northwest part of West Bloomfield.

Not affected

• Sen. John Pappageorge of Troy, a member of both chambers since 1998. His district includes Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Clawson and Royal Oak.
• Sen. Mike Kowall, who has four years of House service (1999-2003) and began a Senate term this year.
• Rep. Martin Knollenberg, representing Clawson and Troy since 2007.
• Rep. Chuck Moss, representing Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township since 2007.