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Today, the Senate Health Policy Committee met and passed a number of health insurance mandate bills. The first, which passed unanimously, was SB 1968 Relating to Health Insurance by Senator Bill Posey (R-Rockledge). The bill authorizes coverage for bone marrow transplants for life prolonging intent, not just for healing purposes. The bill would also establish the necessity to issue an identification card to policy holders and subscribers of health insurance, in order to help achieve faster service.
SB 1968 will now be considered by the Senate General Government Appropriations Committee.
After reconvening, the committee unanimously passed SB 164 Relating to Insurance/Mental & Substance-related Disorders by Senator Victor Crist (R-Tampa). SB 164 is an additional mandate on health insurance to provide coverage to individuals with mental disabilities as well as brain diseases.
Although the bill passed unanimously, it was met by much debate and concern from the business community and others in the audience because of the bill’s potential to increase premiums, thus making it more difficult for business owners to provide health insurance benefits to their employees.
Senator Crist responded that taking care of individuals with mental health problems would actually be more cost effective in terms of increased productivity for employers. Senator Crist also detailed the financial impact untreated individuals have on correctional facilities as a second point of support.
Based on the staff analysis if the bill passes and becomes law, the impact on premiums would be anywhere from 1 to 3 percent more costly for individual providers and carriers.
SB 164 will now be considered by the Senate General Government Appropriations Committee.
AIF consistently opposed additional mandated coverages because the resultant cost increases could force some insurers out of the market and price health care insurance out of the reach of many employers and businesses.
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