Crist Promotes Health Insurance Plan to Help Low Income Families
April 15th, 2008 by flanewsFlorida has the third highest uninsured rate in the Nation. Governor Charlie Crist is pushing a plan to offer bare bones insurance coverage for about a hundred and 50 bucks a month. As Whitney Ray tells us the plan would offer people coverage they can afford, but maybe not the coverage they need.
Laurie Staples knows how to work the system to get the insurance coverage her family needs. She has two jobs, but at times the extra income excludes her from Medicaid.
“As soon as you get the letter that you’re going to be denied insurance you quit one job for a while,” said Staples
Laurie’s 12 year old daughter, Caitlyn is autistic. A year ago her insurance quit paying for Caitlyn’s therapy.
“There’s no way that I could afford insurance for my daughter in the private sector,” Staples said.
Governor Charlie Crist has a plan to allow people like Laurie to stop working the system to get coverage.
“The act would break down some of the bureaucratic barriers that currently exist, make it simpler for health insurance companies to help our fellow Floridians,” said Crist
Crist says his plan could provide coverage for about 150 bucks a month. Crist’s plan works like an insurance buffet where people can pick and choose the coverage they want. But people buying into the plan couldn’t afford to over load their plates. The plan offers bare bones coverage. Rich Rasmussen with the Florida Hospital Association said every little bit helps.
“If we can get at this issue of providing more coverage to 3.5 million Floridians who have nothing, then we’ve achieved something,” Rasmussen said.
Crist’s plan promises coverage without raising taxes. The Governor’s plan is sailing through the Senate and is starting to pick up steam in the House. Crist said he hopes the plan makes it to his desk before the end of this year’s legislative session in May.
Posted in Charlie Crist, Health, Insurance, State News | No Comments »