Talk about good cheap benefits, look at the Florida Legislature

From the Florida Tribune

by Christine Jordan Sexton

Republicans pushing for changes in the state’s health insurance program for its employees have complained the state may be spending too much money for a program that is out of line with what private companies offer.

And they ought to know.

At a time when the GOP-controlled Legislature is complaining about health insurance mandates from the federal government, nearly every state legislator is covered by the state under a plan that right now costs no more than $360 a year for family coverage and only $100 a year for individual coverage.

All 40 state senators are enrolled in the state’s health insurance plan as are 112 members of the Florida House according to information obtained by the Florida Tribune. 39 state senators and 115 House members also have dental insurance. The state did not release the names of any individual lawmakers, but instead just gave totals.

Among those getting coverage from the state is Sen. J.D. Alexander, who is chief executive officer of Alico, a land-management company.

“It saves money for my company and it’s a benefit provided by the state,’’ said Alexander.

Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, was even more blunt. Latvala, who was re-elected to the state Senate last fall after spending several years out of state government, called the state’s health insurance program a great bargain. He pointed out on Wednesday that the state plan currently charges cheaper co-payments than what he was charged in the private sector.

Republicans in the Florida Legislature who want to shift Medicaid patients into managed care are also overwhelmingly enrolled in the state’s self-insured plan, rejecting the HMO coverage that is already offered by the state.

The latest information shows that 35 senators are enrolled in PPO coverage while only 5 are enrolled with a health maintenance organization. In the House, only 28 members are in a HMO, while 84 are in a PPO.

The amount of money that state lawmakers currently pay for health insurance is cheaper than what most rank-and-file state workers pay. Until last year legislators paid no premiums for their coverage.

Alexander has tried to revamp the state health insurance program this year, but after several attempts he has jettisoned legislation after an analysis from the state showed it would increase premiums hundreds of dollars a month for many state employees.

On Thursday, the Senate instead voted to cap the overall spending on health insurance for state employees to $2 billion. The decision means that the state's purchasing agency could be under pressure to redesign health insurance offerings and change benefits.

Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, said it was something that lawmakers should have done "five years ago."

The vote Wednesday will also require a $20 a month increase in family coverage for most rank-and-file employees. But it would increase the overall cost for legislators and other senior managers in state government more than $2,000 extra a year if they have family coverage.

Gary Fineout contributed to this story

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