Ted Vonk testified along with his Spectrum Health Orthopedic Specialist on Tuesday. He told the state House Insurance Committee that he was still recovering from the injuries he suffered in an accident. However, he also stated that he had managed to return to his duties as the Vice Chairman of Kent County Commission only because of the care he had received after the accident. He fears that the others may not receive similar care if any changes are made to the no-fault auto insurance system in Michigan.
Ted Vonk was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in 2009 and suffered severe injuries and lay by the side of the road writhing in pain, after his motorcycle was hit by a car. He added that he was just waiting for some rescue unit to come to his aid while he said his prayers silently.
According to the proposed legislation, the unlimited lifetime medical care will be made an option. Michigan has been offering this care for the last 33 years. However, under the new proposal the unlimited care will no longer remain an option as the maximum coverage would then be $5 million.
At present an insured driver who purchases unlimited medical benefits can save approximately $137 each year by opting for $50,000 in maximum coverage, according to the groups that oppose the bill.
However, the supporters of the bill claim that the no-fault system in Michigan has become totally unsustainable. They state that the changes will allow motorists to opt for cheaper coverage and thereby save a huge sum of money.
There were a number of accident victims who turned up and Vonk was also one of them. Accident victims were seen struggling using their wheelchairs and some were even struggling to speak properly. However, they tried their best in telling lawmakers that they were opposing these changes. They stated that they would not have received the same amount of care if the rules were any different.
The members of the Coalition group that was protecting the no-fault insurance stated that people like Vonk will not be able to get extensive rehabilitative care and there would be no guarantee that the premiums will be reduced in future.
George Sinas, CPAN General Counsel told the lawmakers, that the rest of the country should instead try to emulate the no-fault system in Michigan, which they are proud of. Michigan they believe has the best auto insurance coverage in the country.
