Feb 19, 2008 12:09 pm US/Eastern
New Plan Stops Short of Universal Coverage
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ―
Governor Charlie Crist proposed a plan to guarantee a chance to buy health insurance on Tuesday. The plan also allows companies to offer plans that might be cheaper because they wouldn't cover all ailments.
The proposal doesn't require that employers offer health insurance, nor does it mandate people have the coverage. This differs from the universal health care plan Massachusetts created, or the plan being proposed by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Under Crist's plan, the insurance companies can create types of plans without typical coverage. For example, it might not offer coverage for maternity care, which would make the policy more affordable to a family not planning on having children. The plans would have to guarantee coverage to anyone between the ages of 19 to 64 who can afford it.
Crist also proposed a broadening of the state's KidCare subsidized health insurance program for children. The new rules would make all children eligible, but families with higher incomes would pay full price rather than the subsidized amount. Crist also hopes to lure more dentists to the state.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
