CPAN and Survivor Advocates Rally at the Capitol to End the #MICareCrisis
Supporters gather to call on legislators to pass SB 530 and 531
LANSING, Mich.—(Oct. 3, 2023)—CPAN, the statewide consumer advocacy group that has long fought to protect victims of catastrophic auto crashes, called for legislative urgency in passing Senate Bills 530 and 531 during a rally held today at the Capitol.
The Rally to End the Care Crisis — which featured legislators, providers and survivors shining a light on the devastating impact of the state’s 2019 auto reform changes — was cohosted by CPAN alongside the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC), the Brain Injury Association of Michigan (BIAMI), We Can’t Wait, the Michigan Interfaith Coalition, and the Michigan HomeCare and Hospice Association.
“Since the enactment of the 2019 reforms, survivors have struggled to secure high-quality, reliable care—while auto insurance companies have raked in record profits due to the sweetheart deal they received,” said CPAN President Tim Hoste. “Today, we reminded lawmakers that they have a responsibility to hold Big Insurance accountable and end the needless suffering the insurance industry has inflicted upon thousands of Michigan’s most vulnerable people – crash survivors. We call on legislators to quickly pass Senate Bills 530 and 531 to ensure crash survivors are able to access needed care.”
Last week, State Sen. Mary Cavanagh and State Sen. Sarah Anthony introduced SB 530 and 531. These bills will correct critical flaws of the auto insurance changes signed into law in 2019, including a reasonable and sustainable fee schedule and removing the cap on family-provided attendant care.
In 2019, auto reforms signed into law cut reimbursement rates for catastrophic care by 45% and placed a 56-hour per-week cap on attendant care provided by family members of accident survivors. According to an independent study conducted by the nonprofit health institute MPHI, these arbitrary provisions have wreaked havoc on the post-acute care industry, leading to more than 7,000 patient discharges, the loss of more than 4,000 health care jobs, and the closure of 24 businesses as of April 2022.
“This legislation addresses the most critical issues facing auto accident survivors and ensures they have access to the quality post-acute care they need to survive,” said Sen. Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp). “It is essential that we resolve the unintended consequences of the 2019 reform, ending the crisis in care and restoring a promise to all Michigan drivers.”
“The Legislature now has an opportunity to stand up against the interests of insurance companies and pass these bills that will greatly help all those who suffer serious injuries in car crashes everyday here in Michigan.” Hoste said. “This rally gives those impacted a chance to have their voices heard.”
The rally, which was attended by several hundred from across the state, included a memorial for lives lost in the aftermath of auto insurance reform.
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CPAN is a broad bipartisan, Michigan-based coalition whose mission is to be the consumer advocate for auto insurance policyholders, those who have been injured in a motor vehicle crash and the medical providers caring for them, representing them at the Capitol, in the courts, and in the public forum. For more information, please visit www.CPAN.us.
