Reps. Horn, Proos, Kowall, Green, Knollenberg, Crawford, Polidori, Walsh, Meekhof, Stamas, McMillin, Wayne Schmidt, Booher, Paul Scott, Ball, Meltzer, DeShazor, Daley, Pavlov, Bolger, Dean, Lori, Opsommer, Pearce, Tyler, Agema, Schuitmaker, Hildenbrand, Lund, Genetski, LeBlanc, Smith and Hansen offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 127.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to provide that every public employee, including every elected official, must live under the provisions of whatever "public option" for health care emerges from ongoing discussions to overhaul health care in this country.

            Whereas, Discussions are being held in Washington over ways to change our health care delivery system and contain costs.  While there is agreement that some method of meaningful reform is long overdue, it is of great concern to all Michigan residents that some of these changes make take away choice of health care providers or ration health care; and

            Whereas, While there are many factors that have contributed to the escalating costs of health care in our country, it probably has not helped that, in health care, as with so many other things, the people who make the laws do not always have to follow the same strictures in their own lives. The health care coverage afforded members of Congress, for example, is far different than that available to most Americans. The economic realities confronting main street businesses are similarly removed in most situations from those found in the halls of government; and

            Whereas, Whenever there is a disconnect between making policy and having to live under the requirements of that policy, there is the potential for a lack of true understanding of how the policy works and to what extent it impacts the daily life of a person, family, organization, or business. Clearly, in the case of such a fundamental issue as health care, it would be wise to ensure that those who create any new public option are personally affected; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to provide that every public employee, including every elected official, must live under the provisions of whatever "public option" for health care emerges from ongoing discussions to overhaul health care in this country; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.