Florida Governor Crist Listens To Needs Of Uninsured Individuals And Business Owners

April 8, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today met with business owners and individuals struggling to afford health insurance coverage as part of a Tallahassee Tuesday informal discussion at the Governor’s Mansion. The group talked about the Governor’s proposed health care legislation that can provide preventive, primary and urgent care benefits, including hospitalization, to uninsured Floridians ages 19 to 64.

Tampa General Hospital: Photo by Judy Malley (CC)

Later in the day, Governor Crist will visit St. Anthony’s Health Care in St. Petersburg to learn more about how uninsured Floridians receive medical care in hospital emergency rooms.

“Many of Florida’s small business owners and families are frustrated by the high cost of health insurance, and many are choosing to go without coverage,” Governor Crist said. “Unfortunately, emergency rooms across the state are carrying the load of providing health care to uninsured Floridians whenever it is needed.”

Among those meeting with Governor Crist were Dan and Cindi Perron of Madison, owners of Madison Air Conditioning and Heating, which has 12 employees. Cindi wrote to the Governor’s office explaining, “We have been small business owners for over 20 years and have not had health insurance for 21 years. It has been very discouraging to not be able to offer it to our employees. This makes it very difficult to compete with larger companies for our workforce.”

Also joining the Tallahassee Tuesday discussion was Belinda Boncaro of Lecanto. A registered nurse, she pays $670 per month for her health insurance because it is the only plan available that would cover her diabetes. She is thinking about dropping her insurance because of its high cost.

Florida’s more than 3.8 million uninsured individuals often rely on emergency rooms for their health care. In St. Petersburg, Governor Crist will meet with Bill Ulbricht, president of St. Anthony’s Health Care, and other hospital leaders to learn more about their urgent care center and emergency room, which has more than 32,000 visits each year. The hospital is noted for its centers of medical excellence in surgery, cancer, vascular, stroke, cardiac and emergency services.

Senate Bill 2534, sponsored by Senator Durell Peaden, would allow state government to negotiate with health insurers to develop affordable health insurance coverage for uninsured Floridians. Private health insurers have indicated a willingness to provide benefits packages for $150 or less per month. Benefits will include office visits, office surgery, behavioral health services, diabetic supplies, durable medical equipment and prosthetics, inpatient hospital stays, outpatient facility services and hospital emergency care services. Insurers would also competitively bid to provide supplemental coverage for vision, dental, cancer and discount medical options.

Under the plan, policyholders would be able to carry dependents until age 30. Parents typically cannot carry non-student dependents after age 25. The age 19 to 30 population has the highest rate of uninsured individuals, yet are typically more healthy, and will improve the insurer’s risk profile.

Additionally, Senate Bill 2534 contains no individual mandates and no employer mandates. Employers will be encouraged to participate and cost-share premiums with employees. However, individuals would be allowed to participate even if their employer does not.

Source: Florida Governor

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