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MiMfg Magazine
January 2019
From our Members:
The Need for Competitive Policy
Chris Masciantonio
United States
Steel Corporation
Transporting raw materials
and finished products is
an essential part of
Michigan’s economic
success. Manufacturers
must use their voice to
support policies which
ensure the proper repair
and maintenance of roads,
bridges, waterways and
other infrastructure.
Health Care
The rising cost of health care remains a top
concern for Michigan manufacturers, who consis-
tently point to health care costs as the number one
barrier to business growth. As a leading purchaser of
health care, Michigan manufacturers must have every
opportunity to control costs so that they do not make
benefits cost-prohibitive or reduce the industry’s
ability to compete in the global economy.
MMA was on the front lines to eliminate the
costly, Michigan-only Health Insurance Claims
Assessment (HICA) tax. This laser focus resulted in
the tax’s elimination in 2018, an effort estimated to
save health care purchasers approximately $272.5
million annually.
To support a competitive manufacturing sector,
Michigan must:
• Help employers control health care costs
• Resist interference in private contracts, price
fixing and artificial constraints on the health care
market
• Encourage innovation and flexibility in plan design
• Support free market principles and protect the
intellectual property rights of stakeholders in the
health care market
Well-intended but ill-advised legislative proposals
to impose artificial constraints on private health care
contracts for medical and pharmaceutical coverage
have the ultimate effect of driving up costs — both
for the employer and the patient. To contain health
care costs and ensure Michigan’s competitiveness,
manufacturers must continue to oppose costly health
care mandates.
Infrastructure & Transportation
Successful commerce relies on critical infrastructure
to move raw materials to manufacturers and finished
goods to markets.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a
prime example of the need to improve the busiest
connection for commerce between the United States
and Canada. The next critical infrastructure needing
improvement and revitalization is the Soo Locks.
Michigan’s economy is tied closely to the transfer of
raw materials through the locks and transformed
into vehicles and other durable hard goods.
To support a competitive manufacturing sector,
Michigan must:
• Utilize the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline to ensure
critical energy resources are available to Michigan
manufacturers and citizens
• Secure federal and state funds to rebuild and
replace key facilities at the Soo Locks
• Expand broadband capabilities to Michigan’s
northern lower and upper peninsulas to provide
high speed communications and data transmission
for small- and medium-sized manufacturers
• Support a strong and vibrant freight railroad network
as critical infrastructure in the manufacturing
supply chain and the delivery of finished goods
across North America and around the world
Michigan must protect and enhance our critical
infrastructure in order to enable economic growth and
prosperity for its citizens and local manufacturers.
Looking Ahead: The 100th Legislative Session
“Manufacturing is incredibly diverse. Only by
bringing everyone to the table can you get a complete
picture of the industry,” explained Bryan Harrison,
director of corporate government affairs for Amway.
“That’s what MMA has done in developing its
agenda and that’s why it’s reliable. It’s the most
comprehensive look at the challenges facing
Michigan manufacturers today.”
With a new Governor, Secretary of State and
Attorney General, a more bipartisan Legislature, and
a competitive 2020 election cycle on the horizon, the
work of MMA and our members in the legislative and
regulatory process will be more important than ever.
“MMA looks forward to working with the Whitmer
Administration and legislators in both the House
and Senate to make Michigan stronger in the future,”
said Hadden. “We are working to remind the world
that manufacturing is in Michigan’s DNA and that
Michigan is a global manufacturing leader.”
Download your copy of Manufacturing’s Strategy for
Michigan’s Future at mimfg.org or contact MMA at 517-
487-8552 to participate in the policymaking process.
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Brett Gerrish is MMA’s communications
coordinator. He may be reached at
[email protected] or 517-487-8533.