Content Proposed House Bill 4959
After failing to pass so called no-fault auto reform in the last legislative session, the insurance companies are at it again with the introduction of House Bill 4595. This bill would allow seniors 65yrs and older to opt out of coverage. According to Michigan Association of Justice member Steven Gursten, who has examined the bill, the bill will do nothing to protect seniors,but will expose them to greater risk if they are injured in an auto accident. Gursten identified 5 ways the bill would put seniors at greater risk:
- the elimination of lifetime medical benefits
- Seniors would have to turn to Medicare(which does not cover many necessary services)
- Pain and suffering claims would be used to pay back Medicare.
- Seniors will be discriminated against (loosing their right to sue)
- Taxpayers will have to pay the increased Medicare costs.
Michigan currently has the finest No-Fault system in the United States. Unless and until Auto insurers can demonstrate, with hard evidence ,that the current system is not working, house members should be urged stop the insurance companies from increasing profit at the expense of vulnerable seniors.
