In conjunction with the Florida Retail Federation, NFIB Florida,
and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, AIF has released a statement outlining the
barriers to affordable and accessible health-insurance coverage (click
here to read the statement).
These barriers have largely been erected through public-policy
choices made at the state and federal levels. As the statement indicates 62
percent of all non-elderly insured Floridians receive their coverage through their
employment. Health insurance is the most valuable benefit an employer can offer,
yet more and more employers are finding that this tool for attracting and
retaining workers lies just beyond their reach.
The report lists the most severe cost drivers, including several
that are within the control of the Florida Legislature, including benefit
mandates, entitlements, and inadequate Medicaid reimbursement levels for
hospitals.
The statement was presented to the Governor’s Task Force on
Access to Affordable Health Insurance (http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/affordable_health_insurance/index.shtml)
during its October 13 meeting. The next meeting of the task force will be held at
the Tampa Airport Marriott on November 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
516 North Adams Street ● Post Office Box 784 ● Tallahassee, Florida 32302-0784 ● Phone: (850) 224-7173 ● Fax: (850) 224-6532 ● www.aif.com
