Florida Governor Crist Calls For Health Care For Uninsured To Relieve Emergency Rooms

April 10, 2008 -- FORT MYERS – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today visited Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers to discuss proposed legislation that will provide affordable health insurance for Florida’s uninsured. Senate Bill 2534, sponsored by Senator Durell Peaden of Crestview, would allow state government to negotiate with health insurers to develop affordable coverage for Florida’s 3.8 million uninsured individuals. Private health insurers have indicated that benefits packages would cost about $150 or less per month.

“People in need of urgent care are finding themselves waiting for hours in emergency rooms that are flooded with people who have nowhere else to turn and rely on emergency rooms for basic health care,” Governor Crist said. “Our plan would offer an affordable option to Floridians who have been denied health insurance or cannot afford to buy what is currently available to them.”

Jim Nathan, president and chief executive officer of Lee Memorial Hospital, summarized for Governor Crist the hospital’s Trauma Center and Emergency Room services. The hospital is part of Lee Memorial Health System, which had over 158,000 patient visits for emergency and trauma care last year.

Governor Crist explained that the proposed legislation would allow state government to negotiate with health insurers to develop affordable health insurance coverage for uninsured Floridians. Benefits will include basic preventive, primary and urgent care, including prescription drugs and hospitalization, to uninsured Floridians ages 19 to 64.

Benefits would also 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 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 would not be required to participate in order for their employees to benefit; however, employers will be encouraged to participate in order to cost-share premiums with employees.

Source: Florida Governor

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