| Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Darren Soto, Democrat, for Florida House of Representatives District 49 |
"Cover Florida" Health Insurance
The legislation that passed this year has brought this issue to the
forefront and has moved us in the right direction. I was pleased to see
that stronger consumer protections were a part of the final package. It
is important that consumers get educated on the new insurance
products that will be offered. With health insurance being such a
complex issue, we will have to wait to see how the market responds to
the reforms passed this year. We must remain vigilant and watchful to
ensure covering Florida’s uninsured remains a priority.
SB 2534 passed the legislature near unanimously because it’s the
latest attempt to address the affordability crisis of health insurance.
The Cover Florida health insurance plan, which is part of
comprehensive reforms that passed this year, is a step in the right
direction. I do not expect it to solve the acute health care crisis facing
our state, but it may begin to address it. The Cover Florida contains
needed oversight, which will likely produce insurance products that
help many of our residents.
A priority of my colleagues and of Governor Charlie Crist's is to seek to
address the problem of the uninsured in Florida. There are an
estimated 3.8 million people without insurance in the state, with cost
given as one of the primary reasons for lack of coverage.
The Cover Florida plan will provide non-catastrophic coverage,
offering preventive health services, including immunizations, annual
health assessments, well-woman and well-care services, and
preventive screenings such as mammograms, cervical cancer
screenings, and noninvasive colorectal or prostate screenings;
incentives for routine preventive care; office visits for the diagnosis
The legislation that passed this year has brought this issue to the
forefront and has moved us in the right direction. I was pleased to see
that stronger consumer protections were a part of the final package. It
is important that consumers get educated on the new insurance
products that will be offered. With health insurance being such a
complex issue, we will have to wait to see how the market responds to
the reforms passed this year. We must remain vigilant and watchful to
ensure covering Florida’s uninsured remains a priority.
SB 2534 passed the legislature near unanimously because it’s the
latest attempt to address the affordability crisis of health insurance.
The Cover Florida health insurance plan, which is part of
comprehensive reforms that passed this year, is a step in the right
direction. I do not expect it to solve the acute health care crisis facing
our state, but it may begin to address it. The Cover Florida contains
needed oversight, which will likely produce insurance products that
help many of our residents.
A priority of my colleagues and of Governor Charlie Crist's is to seek to
address the problem of the uninsured in Florida. There are an
estimated 3.8 million people without insurance in the state, with cost
given as one of the primary reasons for lack of coverage.
The Cover Florida plan will provide non-catastrophic coverage,
offering preventive health services, including immunizations, annual
health assessments, well-woman and well-care services, and
preventive screenings such as mammograms, cervical cancer
screenings, and noninvasive colorectal or prostate screenings;
incentives for routine preventive care; office visits for the diagnosis
and treatment of illness or injury; office surgery, including anesthesia; behavioral health services; durable medical equipment and
prosthetics; and, diabetic supplies.
Catastrophic coverage may also be provided, which must include all the coverage above, as well as coverage for; inpatient hospital
stays; hospital emergency care; urgent care services; and, outpatient facility services, outpatient surgery, and outpatient
diagnostic services. All plans offer prescription drug benefit coverage, use a prescription drug manager, or offer a discount drug
card.
First steps for autism spectrum disorder coverage
During the 2008 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature made increasing access to coverage for children with autism a priority.
House Speaker Marco Rubio created the Select Committee on Autism and Developmental Disorders to study and make legislative
recommendation to the House's Healthcare Council, which resulted in the development of the House's Window of Opportunity Act.
The Window of Opportunity Act was a bi-partisan comprehensive approach to treating autism and other developmental disabilities
for children in Florida, that included provisions for increasing health insurance coverage for these children, as well as providing
increased
access for lower-income families and providing new educational and therapy opportunities through Florida's Voluntary Universal
Pre-Kindergarten and McKay Scholarship Programs. Members of the Florida House overwhelmingly supported the
Window of Opportunity Act, but it does not pass in the Florida Senate.
The legislation agreed to by both chambers will require large-group insurers to offer $36,000 worth of annual medical coverage for
autism to children18 and under, with a lifetime cap of $200,000 worth of benefits. This only covers children with autism, and does
not include mandatory coverage for children with other developmental disabilities. Although this legislation is a more limited
approach than the original House proposal, it is a crucial first step in providing help to families in Florida dealing with this health
crisis.
prosthetics; and, diabetic supplies.
Catastrophic coverage may also be provided, which must include all the coverage above, as well as coverage for; inpatient hospital
stays; hospital emergency care; urgent care services; and, outpatient facility services, outpatient surgery, and outpatient
diagnostic services. All plans offer prescription drug benefit coverage, use a prescription drug manager, or offer a discount drug
card.
First steps for autism spectrum disorder coverage
During the 2008 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature made increasing access to coverage for children with autism a priority.
House Speaker Marco Rubio created the Select Committee on Autism and Developmental Disorders to study and make legislative
recommendation to the House's Healthcare Council, which resulted in the development of the House's Window of Opportunity Act.
The Window of Opportunity Act was a bi-partisan comprehensive approach to treating autism and other developmental disabilities
for children in Florida, that included provisions for increasing health insurance coverage for these children, as well as providing
increased
access for lower-income families and providing new educational and therapy opportunities through Florida's Voluntary Universal
Pre-Kindergarten and McKay Scholarship Programs. Members of the Florida House overwhelmingly supported the
Window of Opportunity Act, but it does not pass in the Florida Senate.
The legislation agreed to by both chambers will require large-group insurers to offer $36,000 worth of annual medical coverage for
autism to children18 and under, with a lifetime cap of $200,000 worth of benefits. This only covers children with autism, and does
not include mandatory coverage for children with other developmental disabilities. Although this legislation is a more limited
approach than the original House proposal, it is a crucial first step in providing help to families in Florida dealing with this health
crisis.