SB 2A- Relating to Health Insurance Affordability Exchange
On Monday, June 1st, SB 2A, relating to the Health Insurance Affordability Exchange, by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville), passed through the Senate Health Policy Committee with 7 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.
Also, on Monday, June 1st, the House Health & Human Services Committee held a work shop for SB 2A, and Chair Brodeur noted that a vote would not be taken since the House did not have possession of the bill. Instead, members received a detailed overview of the bill and asked extensive questions to gain a full understanding of the proposal and its possible effects. Members raised concerns about the possible negative effect the bill may have on the commercial market and if the program would actually promote higher use of emergency rooms.
This bill would establish the Florida Health Insurance Exchange (FHIX) program. SB 2A is the same version approved by this committee during the regular session. The FHIX program would use federal dollars to provide premium assistance to approximately 800,000 of the low income and uninsured Floridians. Participants would be required to pay premiums ranging from $3 to $25 a month and show proof that they are employed or are receiving employment assistance services.
On Tuesday, June 2nd, SB 2A was heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed unanimously with 17 yeas and 0 nays. SB 2A moves to the Senate floor for a vote on Wednesday. AIF stood in support of this bill.
On Wednesday, June 3rd, SB 2A was heard on the Senate floor. While the vote was not unanimous, the Senates FHIX bill passed through the Senate floor with 33 yeas and 3 nays. This action now moves SB 2A to the calendar of the House chamber. The House will vet and debate the bill and then a vote will be taken by Friday June 5th.
AIF’s General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, released this statement on Wednesday regarding the Senate’s passage of SB 2-A:
AIF Commends Florida Senate for Passing FHIX
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement attributable to Tamela Perdue, general counsel for AIF, applauding the Florida Senate for passing Senate Bill 2-A, the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program (FHIX).
“We commend the Florida Senate for coming back during this Special Session and continuing to work on FHIX - a private-sector, free-market solution that will address Florida’s health care marketplace by insuring hundreds of thousands of Floridians and helping to alleviate the issue of uncompensated care, which burdens businesses and taxpayers across our great state.
“The Florida Senate and Senate President Andy Gardiner have been thoughtful leaders on this issue, and we thank them for their continued dedication to finding a Florida solution to health care reform.”
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On Thursday, June 4th, members of the House were allowed to ask questions of the bill which lasted for about 3 hours during their session. Representative Mia Jones (D-Jacksonville), though she has had no part in the writing of the bill, took it upon herself to be the mediator and speak on behalf of the Senate, to answer any and all questions House members had of the FIHX bill. After the members had their questions answered to the best of Representative Jones’ ability, SB 2A will now roll to third reading and is on the calendar for a vote to be taken on Friday.
On Friday, June 5th, SB 2A was debated for several hours before a vote was taken. Ultimately the Senate measure, FHIX, failed to pass the House with 41 yeas and 72 nays. This bill will not move on in the process for Special Session A.
AIF SUPPORTED SB 2-A because it is consistent with our longstanding health care policy objectives that seek to ensure a thriving Florida workforce, by increasing the accessibility and affordability of quality health care for Florida residents. AIF will continue to encourage the Legislature to leverage available federal funding for delivering health care to more Floridians in a manner that best safeguards Florida’s citizens and protects the State’s financial health.
