By AP
LANSING, MI –
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed an executive order clearing the way for university, public school and local government employees to join the health care coverage plan offered to state employees.
The Democratic governor said Wednesday in a release that the move could offer those groups a way to save on insurance.
All of the state's health care plans would be open to participation, including a PPO, health maintenance organization, prescription drug coverage and dental and vision care.
The administration has negotiated contracts with several state employee unions that require employees hired after April 1 to pay a larger share of their health care costs. The policy will reduce state costs for newly hired state employee by 21%.