GOVERNOR CRIST VISITS SOUTH BROWARD HOSPITAL DISTRICT
March 27, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
WEST PARK, Fla. – Governor Charlie Crist today visited the South Broward Hospital District to learn more about how Memorial Healthcare System has been providing mobile medical services to neighborhoods through their Health Intervention with Targeted Services (HITS) Program. The goal of the program is to enroll residents in ongoing health care before an individual’s health crisis occurs and requires more expensive emergency care.
“I applaud the work the South Broward Hospital District is doing to improve access to health care for those who are unable to afford health insurance,” Governor Crist said. “Their work is increasing the use of less expensive preventive care and improving the health and quality of life of South Broward residents.”
Frank Sacco, President/CEO South Broward Hospital District, as well as hospital district commissioners and representatives of Memorial Healthcare System, joined Governor Crist to highlight the HITS program. The collaborative program is designed to improve health care and provide a long-term solution to address the needs of uninsured and underinsured individuals. The program targets low-income neighborhoods and high-need areas.
During the visit, Governor Crist discussed his health care priorities for the 2008 Legislative Session. He has proposed comprehensive, market-based strategies to address the health care needs of uninsured Floridians. He also encouraged individuals and pharmacies to enroll in the Florida Discount Drug Card.
Comprehensive, Market-Based Strategies
Governor Crist has proposed the Cover Florida Healthcare Access Act, which includes strategies for negotiating in the free market to address the health care needs of uninsured Floridians. The proposed legislation focuses on free-market initiatives and reforms, and contains no mandates for individuals or employers; however, employers would be permitted to offer and share the cost of the insurance plans with employees. Health insurance providers have indicated that they could potentially offer insurance plans costing between $100 and $150 per month.
The insurance plans would require competitive negotiation with private insurers to develop consumer choice benefit plans that offer multiple benefit options for uninsured Floridians age 19 to 64. Benefits would include preventive, primary and urgent care, including hospitalization, as well as office visits, office surgery, behavioral health services, diabetic supplies, durable medical equipment and prosthetics, inpatient hospital stays, outpatient facility services and hospital emergency care services. Supplemental coverage for vision, dental, cancer and discount medical options would also be available.
Florida Discount Drug Card
Governor Crist explained that a market-based strategy resulted in the creation of the Florida Discount Drug Card announced in December 2007. Individuals qualify for the card if they are age 60 and older and do not have prescription drug coverage, or if they are in the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap. Individuals, families and seniors under age 60 may be eligible if they have an annual income of less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and do not have prescription drug coverage. Participants save an average of five to 42 percent on 10 commonly used prescription drugs.
To apply for the Florida Discount Drug Card, individuals can visit the easy-to-use Web site, www.FloridaDiscountDrugCard.com, and complete an online application, or enroll over the phone by calling 1-866-341-8894 or TTY 1-866-763-9630. The Web site also contains information about which drugs are discounted and about participating pharmacies. Participants can also choose a mail order option.
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