Florida Health Plan Offers No-Frills Coverage

The Florida Legislature onFriday passed a health insurance package that would allow insurers to offer"no-frills coverage to the state's 3.8 million uninsured" residents,the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. Under the plan, Florida residents ages 19 to 64 couldpurchase limited health coverage for as little as $150 per month. Insurersoffering such plans would be exempt from state mandates requiring coverage fora range of items and procedures. The policies would cover preventive care andoffice visits but not care from specialists or long-term hospitalizations.

The final plan was a combination of Gov. Charlie Crist's (R) "CoverFlorida" plan, which was supported by the state Senate, and a Houseproposal (Hafenbrack, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 5/3).

The package also would allocate $1.5 million to establish a corporation to helpbusinesses with fewer than 50 employees negotiate health insurance rates, aswell as handle premiums and claims (South Florida Sun-Sentinelgraphic, 5/3).

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