Gary Peters Gaslights, Double-Dips on Taxpayer-paid Healthcare

Peters reports talking federal exchange benefits AND Michigan legislative benefits

Livonia, Mich. — For months, Sen. Gary Peters has resisted answering questions posed by the media about the nature of his personal healthcare. Just days before the election new details arose that suggest Peters enrolled in a congressional exchange plan for political purposes and used taxpayer funds to do it.

“Gaslight Gary Peters used taxpayer dollars to pay for two healthcare plans—one for a political stunt and the other for its elite perks,” said John James. “This is the ultimate in self-serving deceit: While families around the country pay as much as $30,000 out of pocket to cover their medical bills, Gary Peters left taxpayers to foot the bill for his political charade and has since refused to answer questions about why he is no longer on an exchange plan.The reason is clear. He knows there are better options than what he has voted to make available to Michigan families, but it’s not politically convenient to admit it. While he campaigns that the ACA offers Michigan families the quality care they deserve, he knows it’s not the truth. Gary Peters gaslights us, says he’s one of us, but it’s all smoke, mirrors and lies.”

According to The Detroit News, Peters’ campaign provided documentation that Peters was enrolled in an exchange plan in December 2013, but amendments to Peters’ financial disclosure filed on December 20, 2013 state that Peters has been accepting health benefits through the Michigan Legislative Retirement Health Program (MLRS) since January 2003. Subsequent disclosures state that Peters is receiving his health benefits from MLRS.

Additionally, Peters did not disclose whether he took advantage of  a controversial exception that would have the taxpayer foot 72 percent of his healthcare bill.

Peters declined interviews about his health plan, leaving Michigan voters with more questions than answers about Peters’ healthcare deceit.

###