The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) responded today to Florida Governor Charlie Crist's surprise veto of House Bill 97, legislation that would have expanded Medicare Supplement coverage choices for seniors. "The veto came as a disappointing surprise to all of us who have worked to ensure this legislation would help Florida seniors obtain more affordable Medicare Supplement coverage," said CAHI Executive Director Dr. Merrill Matthews.

The Republican-dominated House had previously passed the bill by a near unanimous margin, followed by passage in the Republican Senate.

"It is bad public policy for the governor to veto a sound and cost-saving market reform bill, especially as rising health insurance premiums continue to pose challenges for seniors on fixed incomes," noted CAHI Regional State Affairs Director Kevin Wrege. "For a governor who routinely invokes Ronald Reagan as his political role model to defy the will of his own Republican legislature by rejecting this bill strikes us as inconsistent with the philosophies of both Reagan and the GOP."

"Most important," concluded Wrege, "this is truly a lost opportunity for those seeking more affordable Medicare Supplement coverage choices."

Founded in 1992, the Council for Affordable Health Insurance is a non-profit research and advocacy association whose mission is to develop and promote free market solutions to America's health care challenges. CAHI's membership includes health insurance companies (active in the individual, small group, HSA and senior markets), small businesses, physicians, actuaries and insurance brokers.

<< Back