Florida May Opt Out Of Health Care
The premise of health care reform is that the larger number of participants in insurance pools, the greater the risk is spread among many keeping costs down for all. But that may not be the case in Florida, which is one of 11 states that has filed bills to “opt out” of federal legislation in case it does not meet its liking.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had suggested the “opt-out” of public option compromise as a way to get something moving among Republicans in a spirit of compromise.
State Sen. Carey Baker R-Eustis and Scott Plakon R-Longwood have filed a proposed constitutional amendment to let Florida businesses and residents opt out of a federal health care plan. But it’s unlikely a state can legislatively trump a federal mandate. That would have to be supported by three-fifths of the state Legislature and then 60 percent of voters.
A similar bill has been filed in Louisiana and a dozen other states are planning to introduce measures. They point to the Constitution’s 10th Amendment limiting federal power.
With 20 percent of Floridians without health insurance, the situation has the potential to become a litmus test for someone with political aspirations to become the next governor and less about bringing health care to everyone, which is the most cost effective way of delivering health insurance coverage.
Sen. Majority leader Harry Reid has embraced the proposal which would allow the states to opt out but not from the tax increases needed to subsidize the uninsured.
Any differences between the House and Senate version will have to be worked out in a conference committee.
Source reports: http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=52027&mostread=true;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/08/schumer-opt-out-public-op_n_313946.html
