SIDEBAR:Michigan House-Senate Conference Committee, which is looking for ways to erase a $2.8 billion budget deficit for fiscal 2010, is considering imposing a 3 percent Gross provider tax on more than 15,000 physicians who practice in the state.

The possible physician tax, known as a Quality Assurance Assessment Program fee,would be used to increase federal matching share dollars for the state's Medicaid program. For every $1 the state raises, the federal government matches with another $1.72.

If this tax is implemented the affect will be many doctors leaving the state and result in a reduced quality of care for Michigan citizens. How many have we lost in recent years?  Something close to 500,000 of our best educated and most skilled people. "Taxed to Death" takes on an ominous meaning here..

This has already passed the House (HB 5386) and will be headed for the Senate
as SB 0854

PLEASE CALL your Senator and tell them not to TAX our doctors right out of the state!
FIND YOUR MICHIGAN SENATOR HERE: