BY RICK PLUTA
Michigan Public Radio Network
Hearings will begin this week on an overhaul of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder proposed his plan last week. He hopes the Legislature will send him something before the end of the year.
Governor Snyder wants to convert Blue Cross from a charity to a member-owned not-for-profit insurance company. It would pay taxes, and play by the same rules as other insurance companies. He said the changes are needed because the new federal health care law will make obsolete Blue Cross's mission of insuring everyone regardless of their health history.
Republican state Senator Joe Hune chairs the Senate Insurance Committee. He'll lead the hearings on how the overhaul might affect health coverage in Michigan.
"It's just inquiries, questions, and we're going to vet all of that in the time to come."
For-profit insurance companies hope the overhaul will help them to take some of Blue Cross's huge share of Michigan's insurance market.
The results of the November election could send plans for Blue Cross in a different direction.
Copyright 2012, MPRN