| Why Should We Dump Jeb ? |
A wide-ranging health care bill that included a likely insurance hike for the self-employed and some heavily lobbied
changes in medical referral rules was passed by the House on Friday and sent to Gov. Jeb Bush. The measure passed 80-28.
It cleared the Senate on May 2, 2002.
The debate over the measure included charges that the bill was being advanced because one section was being lobbied for by the wife of the Senate president and suggestions that the measure was a favor to a South Florida doctor who raises money for legislative candidates. But the parts of the bill with the widest impact are a program allowing insurers to offer slimmed-down health plans in some areas in an effort to provide coverage to more people, and the section that allows companies to increase premiums for the self-employed. The legislation (SB 46E) creates a pilot program in areas of the state with the largest number of uninsured, many of whom work for companies that say they can't afford to provide health plans. Under the program, insurers could offer cheaper health plans -- but those plans would be free from many mandates, such as requiring coverage of certain procedures or specialists. The bill also allows insurers to charge the self-employed up to 50 percent more than they charge members of other small insurance groups. Currently, companies can charge the same for the self-employed as they do for companies with up to 50 employees. How can Bush claim to be helping small businesses - the very lifeblood of the economy when he's allowing healthcare costs for this critical sector of the economy to soar by 50% ? More importantly - how could the Governor let $31 MILLION DOLLARS go back to the Federal Government - money that was given to Florida to help care for children in need of health insurance. The Governor failed to sign up the kids for the program and so, the money went back to the Federal Government. Nice going Jeb ! Way to screw up a $31 million dollar gift. I guess when you are Jeb Bush, $31 Million isn't so much money that it commands your attention. |
|
Contact Information
E-mail Steve@DanConsulting.com
Copyright © 1994 - 2002 Dan Consulting Services, Inc.