A special state panel considering the Michigan Health Benefits Program met Sept. 8. The next public hearing of the Michigan Public Employee Health Care Reform Committee is Sept. 10.

At the Sept. 8 hearing, the committee heard from Phil Powers, president of the Center for Michigan; Mitch Bean, director of the House Fiscal Agency; and Charles Ballard, a professor at Michigan State University. They raised questions about the proposal, sponsored by House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township. They said more study is needed to determine what savings, if any, are possible by putting all public employees under the same health care plan. (less info)