• Lansing Chamber of Commerce Vice President/CMO Kristin Beltzer

INGHAM COUNTY - The debate over what to do with a surplus of nearly $10 million from the Ingham County Health Plan rages on.

At the last meeting of Ingham County commissioners on June 15, several ideas were thrown around including an idea to refurbish an Ingham County Health Center. While some are debating on what the surplus should be used for, Lansing Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kristin Beltzer says that it should ultimately be up to the taxpayer.

"To tax the taxpayer 3.4 million, we believe from the chamber perspective that it is not necessary," said Beltzer. "And we don't like to see that happen to our businesses."

The original plan was intended to help those that make less than $28,000 per year, pay for healthcare, but the plan has seen a significant drop in participation over the last few years. This is largely due to the Affordable Care Act and the Expansion of Medicaid in Michigan.