PRESS RELEASE: From the Office of Pete Lund, State Representative
State Rep. Pete Lund today voted to end lifetime health care for future lawmakers, but said he was disappointed the legislation allows those already serving to keep the benefit.
Currently, lawmakers are eligible to receive lifetime health care benefits starting at age 55 after putting in as few as six years of service to the state. House Bill 4194, which was approved by the House on a nearly unanimous vote, eliminates this lavish perk but only for incoming elected officials. Current lawmakers are grandfathered in under the old system.
“This is definitely a step in the right direction, but I don’t think we should exempt current lawmakers. The state simply cannot afford this exceedingly generous perk,” said Lund, of Shelby Township.
Lund said he will continue fighting to eliminate lifetime health care benefits for all lawmakers, including those currently serving, and pointed out that he already co-sponsored legislation to do just that. He has also already voted to cut lawmaker salaries by 10 percent.
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Ryan Kazmirzack
rkazmirzack@house.mi.gov
517-373-5067
