“By signing SB 1122 Governor Crist sided with the FMA and is
unfortunately ignoring several studies performed by his own department which
both state that SB 1122 will increase health costs for the state and consumers.”
“The most recent bill analysis performed by the Department of
Management Services (DMS) estimates the rise in costs to the State of Florida group insurance
plan as a result of the bill will be between $5.1 and $18.5 million. DMS also
says that this bill will lead to an estimated 75% increase in out of pocket
costs to health consumers which would result from balance billing. These
findings are similar to those in two additional studies.”
“Costs which are expected to result from this bill to the
state and to patients far outweigh any benefit that health care providers would
receive by receiving payment directly. We have seen no indication that this bill
will result in an increase of access to care but the state’s analysis makes it
clear that the bill will lead to higher health costs.”
“Lawmakers should be doing everything within their power to
lower the spiraling costs of health care. Unfortunately, this bill will take us
in the opposite direction by raising health costs for the state and consumers.”
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