John Bizon is seeking his second term in the state House, but says he’s not a career politician. The Republican represents Battle Creek, Albion and several surrounding townships in Calhoun County.
Bizon is a doctor who worked with another physician turned lawmaker Joe Schwarz. Bizon spoke with WMUK’s Gordon Evans.
Health Care
Bizon says the main reason he gave up “for the most part” his medical practice was to work on transforming health care. Bizon served as president of state Medical Society, but concluded that he had to get elected to make changes to the health care system. Asked about changes Bizon sought during his first term, Bizon says a “bio-similars” bill he introduced will help people afford very expensive drugs. He says the generic for biologic agents helps create many new drugs from living cells. But Bizon says the new drugs are very expensive. Going forward Bizon says pilot programs are needed to improve Medicaid. He says it should be more efficient and help address health problems.
Budget Priorities
Public safety is one of Bizon’s top priorities. He says there are only so many dollars available in Lansing. Bizon says that’s part of the reason that reforming Medicaid is important. He says the state needs to spend less on health care. Bizon says a 10% cut would allow money for revenue sharing, education, roads. He says the state needs to examine how money is spent on corrections, education and other areas. But Bizon says a lot of improvement has been made in last six years.
School Consolidation
Albion is in the 62nd district, and voters in the Albion school district approved a plan this year to consolidate with the Marshall school district. Bizon says the two districts took advantage of state incentives for school district mergers. He says that model has been used in other districts, some of which were dissolved. Bizon says those students are now going to better schools. He says future decisions have to be about students, and not other factors like buildings or athletics. Bizon says if a district is insolvent, leaders of school system have to come up with a plan if they don’t want the state to step in.
Voting
Michigan voters will have the opportunity to check one circle on the ballot for a “straight party” ticket. A federal judge put a law that would have eliminated that option on hold. Bizon was one of few Republicans who voted against it. He says ideally people should be able to vote at their leisure when they want to. Bizon says he doesn’t want long lines at the polls, or anything else that discourages people from voting. Bizon says he would support no-reason absentee voting, to make voting more convenient.
Discussion of other issues heard in the extended version of the interview
Auto Insurance
Bizon says auto insurance in Michigan is very, very expensive. He says the state can do better. Bizon says the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, which pays for the long term care of people seriously injured in auto accidents, needs transparency. Bizon says the fund has a large surplus and we’re still adding to the fund. He says the state needs to examine the rules governing no-fault insurance and prices paid for care. Bizon says paying for lifetime care for people critically injured in auto accidents.
Presidential Election
Bizon says he belongs to the “anyone but Hillary” camp. He plans to vote for Donald Trump, and says the main reason is the Supreme Court. Bizon says he’s not sure he likes the head of the ticket on either side, and says he liked Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina and John Kasich for the Republican nomination. Bizon says not sure how either candidate won their party’s nomination.
