Study: Florida patients need HMO shield

Like most other states, Florida offers few basic protections for consumers purchasing health insurance, according to a report sponsored by consumer group Families USA. The report found that strong lobbying efforts by the insurance industry have left "consumers with a patchwork of protections that are inadequate as a whole and that vary greatly from state to state." Assisted by such protections, the health maintenance organizations of all large health insurers in Florida are solidly profitable, according to state data.