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Insurance companies back state health insurance plan

TALLAHASSEE Hoping to build a fire under House members for passage of his health-insurance plan, Gov. Charlie Crist today announced support of top executives from eight major insurance companies.

Crist's "Cover Florida" plan unanimously passed the Senate last week but the House approved an alternative plan for helping to provide coverage to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians. The idea of Crist's plan is to have the state negotiate low-cost, basic coverage that might cost $150 a month or less.

"This coverage is not going to be Cadillac coverage," Crist said. But he said that as early as January, the legislation could help provide basic preventive, emergency, hospitalization and other high-use services for those who have difficulty finding coverage.

Crist emphasized that his plan would not carry any individual or employer mandates, although employers would be able to receive tax benefits for subsidizing premiums of their employees. It would also not cost any state money, as the state would just negotiate insurance contracts that small employers and families could obtain.

Crist met with officials of AvMed, Vista Health Plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Capital Health Plan, Amerigroup, the Florida Association of Health Plans, United Healthcare, Preferred Medical Plans and Aetna to discuss his plan. The governor said the companies cover about 93 percent of Florida's small-group insurance market.

He urged Floridians to contact their legislators in support of the plan.

"It's important that the boss weigh in," Crist said. "Millions of Floridians are waiting for us to do this."

With nine working days left in the session, Crist said he is optimistic that the House and Senate will agree on an insurance bill to help low-income people find coverage they can afford.

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