New Florida law allows low-cost health policies

New York Times, May 22, 2008

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is touting a bill aimed at providing low-cost health coverage to uninsured state residents by allowing the sale of stripped-down insurance policies. While some say the new law will not make much of a dent in Florida's growing rate of uninsured residents, Crist says the best part of the bill is that the law "doesn't cost taxpayers a dime." In many states across the country, governors and lawmakers are struggling to respond to anxiety about healthcare despite the limitations of deeply strained budgets. Bold ideas on healthcare reform have been overtaken by the worrisome economy, and lawmakers have been forced to proceed with caution.