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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.
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In-depth with Charlie Crist
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist responds to backlash from his own party, corruption in politics, critics who say he backtracked on supporting the federal stimulus, and much more. It's all Sunday on Political Connections at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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