Home  News Local News Crist signs “Cover Florida” into law
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Crist signs “Cover Florida” into law |
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Sunday, 01 June 2008 |
Florida Governor Charlie Crist fulfilled another of his pre-election promises last week, when he signed into law a new health plan that will bring welcome relief to over three million Florida residents.
The new plan ‘Cover Florida’ will cover residents who have no coverage and who cannot afford health insurance coverage – most of whom are between ages 18 to 34.
Crist called the new law the “crown jewel” of his healthcare efforts, saying that the law now gives the state the power to negotiate on behalf of those Floridians who have no health insurance.
The implementation of the new law has two phases. The first phase requires insurance companies to offer basic insurance policies for a lower price, which could be as low as $150 per month. This first phase could be implemented by early 2009.
The second phase is aimed at small business people and requires the establishment of a public-private corporation that will serve as an intermediary between small business employees and the insurance companies. This phase will take longer to become effective.
Although the insurance coverage to be provided under ‘Cover Florida’ would carry fewer benefits than more expensive health plans, the coverage is mandated to cover illnesses like diabetes. Also, the insurance companies will be required to offer two plans – one with catastrophic coverage, and the other without.
The public-private company to be established to assist small businesses employees is slated to negotiate with heath plan providers to provide small businesses with coverage for a range of services. It is currently estimated that about half of the small businesses in Florida do not carry health insurance coverage for their employees. A strong aspect of the ‘Cover Florida’ plan is that individuals would be able to carry their insurance coverage from job to job, and not have to worry about having no insurance when they change jobs, and having to reapply for insurance at the new place if employment,
The carry forward aspect of the new insurance plan suits Beryl Mendes, a Lauderdale Lakes resident, fine. Shortly after giving birth to her second child in January, she lost her job and insurance coverage at a Delray Beach accounting firm, and although she got a new job soon after, it has no insurance coverage, creating a major problem for her and her two children. “I have been following the passage of this ‘Cover Florida’ insurance plan since the National Weekly reported it as a Crist proposal earlier this year, and I am very happy that it is now law. It will solve many health insurance problems for me and others with similar circumstances like me in the state.”
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