Sen. Gregory and Rep. Lipton Lose Retiree Health Coverage

Ferndale's two state lawmakers, Sen. Vincent Gregory and Rep. Ellen Cogin Lipton are disqualified from Michigan government retiree health insurance under a law cancelling that benefit for most current legislators and all future ones.

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. "This is an exceedingly generous benefit that is clearly out-of-step with the private sector," Snyder said. "I want to thank both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for acting where previous Legislatures failed to eliminate this costly benefit."

The law's language, resulting from a compromise between the House and Senate, preserves future benefits for members with six years of service 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.

Lipton, a second-term representative whose district also includes Berkley and Huntington Woods, took office in 2009. Gregory, who also came to the legislature that year as a House member, started a four-year Senate term in January and also will have just four years of Lansing service by the cutoff.  

About four dozen legislators will have enough seniority to 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.

Rep. Marty Knollenberg, a Republican representing Troy and Clawson, told the Detroit Free Press that he preferred ending the "ridiculous perk" for everyone, but considers the compromise a worthwhile move.

Language passes earlier this year by the House would have limited the benefits to those who became qualified participants in the system before Jan. 1, 2007. The vast majority of current lawmakers would not have been eligible under that plan.

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.
• Sen. Jim Marleau, representing most of northern Oakland County.
• 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. Tom McMillin, second term representing Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and other areas.
• 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. 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.