The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued the following news release:
The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board (Advisory Board) met today to discuss several bills currently making their way through the legislature, including SB 2534 by Senator Durell Peaden and Co-Sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz. The bill includes Governor Crist's Cover Florida Health Access Program and was passed by the Senate yesterday with a vote of 39 - 0. 'The unanimous approval that this bill received is a clear indication of its importance to all Florida consumers,' said Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty, who also chairs the Advisory Board. 'Because of the leadership of Gov. Crist, Florida residents will have more options to provide health care for their families.' The Advisory Board endorsed the Senate bill by a super-majority, and urged the House members to pass a similar bill. Board members discussed the differences between the Senate and House bills, specifically noting that the House bill allows unregulated entities to sell products that could potentially destabilize the existing small group market. The Advisory Board also endorsed another aspect of the Senate bill expanding access to Health Flex Plans, which were established to offer basic, affordable health care services to low-income, uninsured residents.Contact: Carol Ostapchuk, 850/668-5052.
Carol Ostapchuk, 850/668-5052.
