LANSING, Mich., Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement to express its disappointment with the 63 members of the 110 members of the Michigan House who turned their backs on Michigan drivers today and voted 'no' on reforms to the state's broken and costly auto insurance system.

"Lawmakers had a real opportunity today to drive down Michigan's highest-in-the-nation auto insurance premiums," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "Unfortunately, 63 members of the Michigan House chose to turn their backs on their constituents and the state's 7.1 million drivers and side with a handful of greedy ambulance-chasing personal injury attorneys and hospitals that profit from the status quo."  

"For the Michigan Chamber, the choice was clear: Lawmakers could either support real, cost-saving reforms to the tune of $1 billion or more or do nothing and support those profiteering from the current system at the expense of drivers," said Wendy Block, Senior Director of Health Policy, Human Resources & Business Advocacy for the Michigan Chamber. "It's unfortunate that the majority of legislators chose the latter." 

"We applaud the hard work of House Speaker Tom Leonard, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, House Insurance Committee Chairwoman Lana Theis and all those who have worked to forge real reforms through the legislative process," said Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. 

"Even though the vote today failed, these lawmakers will need to explain their no vote to their constituents," noted Holcomb. "We remain confident that the drivers of our state won't find these lawmakers' excuses acceptable and force them back to the table to tackle the very real problem of Michigan's highest-in-the-nation auto insurance costs and its primary cost-drivers."

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,400 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. The Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce