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Health Care Plans Are A Major Accomplishment Of 2008 Legislature

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By WILL WEATHERFORD

Special to the Tribune

Published: May 19, 2008

Helping make Florida affordable again and restoring the state's economy were the top priorities this year for the House of Representatives. The budget problems we're experiencing in Tallahassee are a symptom of a slowing economy nationwide, not just in Florida.

This session we made reductions that were absolutely necessary to balance our budget responsibly, while making the necessary investment in the programs and services that will revitalize and grow our economy.

We didn't raise property taxes. We didn't expand gambling, and we didn't recklessly spend our state's financial safety net. We recognized the tough realities of our national economic picture and crafted a budget that looked beyond just the next year.

I would like to take a moment to share with you some of the major pieces of legislation that passed in this year's session that I believe will be vital to sustain the success that Florida is accustomed to.

Education

During the 2008 session I supported legislation to revise how high schools in Florida are awarded school grades. Instead of solely using FCAT scores, other criteria will be considered that will help paint a more complete and full picture of the performance of high schools.

Under the new law, half of a school's grade will still be based on Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test performance. The other half will now be based on a mix of other indicators of student success. High schools will be awarded grades based on the results of SAT and ACT college-entrance exams, final course exams and the level of achievement among vocational students who try to attain industry certification in certain fields.

Participation and achievement in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs also will be factors in the awarding of grades.

Since 2001 there has been an across-the-board positive trend in student performance as measured by the FCAT. Over time, more of Florida's students are performing at grade level and mastering the skills and knowledge that will enable them to succeed in school.

I am hopeful that these new factors in determining school grades will enhance the value and improve the accuracy of determining the progress being made in Florida high schools.

Health Care

At any given time, one in five Floridians lacks health insurance.

Even if you have insurance, odds are that a friend, family member or neighbors may lack coverage.

To help give uninsured Floridians peace of mind, the Florida House teamed with Gov. Charlie Crist to create two new options to give Floridians more choices and increased access to quality, affordable health care: Florida Health Choices and Cover Florida Plan.

The House's Florida Health Choices Program is a market-based program that empowers Florida's patients and consumers to determine what health coverage they want to purchase.

The program will be a public-private partnership for buying and selling health insurance and services.

Using free market principles, Florida Health Choices uses simple, common-sense steps to empower consumers with buying power, increase choice, foster competition and expand information on price and quality.

Employers and their employees who chose to participate in Florida Health Choices will be able to use pretax dollars to purchase health coverage in the program.

Once employers enroll in Florida Health Choices, resources for health benefits are placed in the hands of employees who can choose the best use of those resources to suit their individual needs.

Employees will be able to individually choose any health coverage product in the market, including comprehensive insurance plans, limited benefit plans, flexible spending accounts and other contracts for specific services.

The Cover Florida plan is designed to help people who are currently uninsured afford health care insurance. Instead of having government run the health care system, under the Cover Florida plan we're going to encourage health insurers to come forward with their best packages at a new, low price.

We're going to make them compete for the business of uninsured Floridians. Plans would have to cover preventive services, emergency care, hospitalization and office visits at varying rates. Like the Florida Health Choices Program, participation will be voluntary.

The cost of health insurance is a primary reason that many Floridians lack coverage. The Florida Health Choices Program and Cover Florida Plan will give Floridians more health insurance options and increase access to affordable health care.

Also, the overall state budget for fiscal 2008-09 is $66,200,726,152.

The writer, a Republican, represents District 61 in the Florida House of Representatives. He lives in Wesley Chapel.

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