Floridians Vote Obama and for Florida Health Insurance Reform

Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) November 5, 2008

Florida showed its support for the Obama-Biden healthcare reform plan with a heavy voter turnout last night. Insurance specialist Holly Hail says, "We now have an opportunity to correct the structural problems that have plagued us for too long. Affordable and accessible coverage for all Americans would be a welcome change from decades of increased premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs, and reduced benefits."

Although Peoples Health Insurance is usually neutral on national elections, employees currently covered by, or in need of, Florida group or Florida individual health insurance are looking to Washington to fix a broken system. According to Peoples Health Insurance, Barack Obama as President can bring about the necessary changes. Florida currently has the fourth highest number of citizens who are without health care coverage. Numerous reorganization attempts have been tried in the past, but they have all failed.

As recent as February, 2008, Florida's Republican Governor, Charlie Crist, put forth great effort with his "Cover Florida" plan which would allow insurers to offer Florida residents low-cost, bare-bones healthcare policies. As agent Holly Hail of Peoples Health Insurance states, "One criticism of Cover Florida has been that it does not provide financial assistance for low-income residents. Affordability is the main barrier to coverage for these people and the cost is out of reach even if they were to choose one of the least expensive policies."

Another weakness frequently mentioned by its critics is that individuals covered by these bare-bones policies face high out-of-pocket costs or other cost-sharing arrangements. Additionally, they have limited or no coverage for important benefits such as inpatient or preventative care. Under a stripped-down plan, individuals with chronic health conditions will continue to suffer from the crushing costs of their medical treatments. The Obama-Biden healthcare reform plan promises to correct these benefit gaps.

To remedy market failures, President Obama is expected to bring positive change to healthcare. Points up for consideration include:

•     Requiring insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions with comprehensive benefits at fair and stable premiums
•     Lowering healthcare costs for businesses by covering a portion of employee catastrophic care in return for lower premiums
•     Ensuring that everyone who is eligible will receive a tax credit for their premiums

Before any new proposals become law, Democratic lawmakers will need to form a consensus. Many House and Senate members already have ideas on how to fix the health care system. The new President will need to work with his own party in order to find areas of compromise. Senator Ted Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, is Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee and is one such legislator who will introduce reforms.

Senator Kennedy has been tirelessly crafting a new healthcare plan that is expected to be unveiled in January, 2009. Senator Kennedy says, "I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate. This is the cause of my life, new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American--north, south, east, west, young, old--will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege." Senator Max Baucus, Democract of Montanta, and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, may also introduce a health care proposal, though he plans to work closely with Senator Kennedy.

Americans continue to pay a heavy price for the failed healthcare system. For millions, the middle-class dream has been replaced with the stress of financial ruin due to catastrophic healthcare costs. As a new President takes office, Florida sees a long overdue change is coming. "With 45 million Americans lacking health insurance (21% of Florida's residents are without coverage), and millions more at risk of losing their benefits due to rising costs, we cannot afford to wait any longer." Peoples Health Insurance welcomes the Obama-Biden health care reform plan.

About People's Health Insurance:
Peoples Health Insurance, LLC is an independent insurance agency offering free services to assist people in finding the most competitive insurance rates available in their area. They have developed relationships with many health insurance companies and have the latest knowledge of many different plans, ensuring that customers have not only the right plan, but the best value for their money. The founders of Peoples Health Insurance, LLC have a unique perspective, having previously owned and operated a large healthcare company.

Visit their website for more information on Florida health insurance plans.

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