Coalition calls on Florida governor to veto healthcare bill

Advocates for workers, consumers, and employers have joined forces to urge Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to veto what's being called "direct payment" legislation, warning that it would result in higher and unexpected out-of-pocket healthcare costs. At a news conference in Tallahassee, Associated Industries of Florida; Council 79 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the public-employee union; Florida PIRG; the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans; and the Consumer Federation of the Southeast blasted the legislation, which they claim would allow doctors who are not members of PPO networks to receive payment from a patient's insurance company.