(AP) -- The top Democrat in the Michigan Legislature says government and school employees should get health care benefits that are more closely aligned with workers in the private sector.
House Speaker Andy Dillon also wants to create a statewide health care plan for current and retired workers within state government, local governments and public schools.
He says the plan could save nearly $1 billion a year at a time of big budget deficits.
Dillon, a Democrat from Wayne County's Redford Township, is scheduled to tell reporters about his proposal later Wednesday afternoon.
The plan likely will face opposition from employees and their unions because it would involve consolidating or eliminating hundreds of health plans across the state.
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