 |
Bay News 9
Local Programming
On Demand
About
Community
Market Place
Services
Crist's health care plan running into roadblocks
Gov. Charlie Crist discusses his health care plane Wednesday in Tallahassee.
TALLAHASSEE (Bay News 9) -- One of Gov. Charlie Crist's top priorities is affordable health care.
During the legislative session he put together a plan for a program that would cost $150 a month and would be available to anyone who needs insurance. But the once popular Cover Florida plan is running into roadblocks.
The plan is a bare-bones health care plan at a rock-bottom price. Uninsured residents are supposed to be able to buy it through private companies who have signed on with the state.
Just a few months ago insurance companies were ready to get on board with the plan, but with the deadline for doing that under a week away, so far, not a single one has signed up.
A new report by a Washington think-tank finds the plan would be too expensive.
Three-quarters of the uninsured are poor, and even a $150 a month could be out of their range.
Crist disagrees.
"Other groups and people can have their opinion of it that's fine; I respect that," Crist said. "But common sense tells me that if it's a $150 a month instead of $700 a month, a lot more of our fellow Floridians will be able to afford it, and that's a good thing."
Florida's agency for health care administration is in charge of negotiating with the insurance companies. Officials there say they expect at least a few insurers to come to the table before the deadline next Tuesday.
Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!
Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.
- Subscribe for free!
More State Stories
- State agency puts social security numbers on net
- Crist: 'No jitters' about impending nuptials
- Gov. Crist asks Obama for $7 billion
- Report: Florida may top Crist's renewable energy goal
- State adopts tougher car emissions standards
- Will Jeb Bush make a return to politics?
- Who will seek Martinez's seat?
- FL Sen. Mel Martinez: 'I won't seek re-election'
- Fla. lenders halt new foreclosures for 45 days
Talk to us
Are you struggling to pay your mortgage and been advised to stop making payments? If so, we'd like to talk to you. Please email us with your story.
Become An Asterisk Hunter!
At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call
1-866-976-EASY.
Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.
