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The presumptive leader in the 2010 race for governor of the Sunshine State has launched a controversial public campaign to persuade Attorneys Generals in other states to join him in “launching a full review of the constitutionality of the individual mandate and potential legal options for States to pursue on behalf of their citizens should this mandate become law,” Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum writes in a letter to his AG peers.



The Senate recently approved a draft of the healthcare reform bill that provides for a mandatory tax of 0 to ,000 against individuals who do not obtain health insurance coverage, either individually or through their employers, before 2013. The provision was added when lobbyists for the nation’s top health insurance companies successfully negotiated it in exchange for dropping an additional proposal that bans insurance companies from declining to provide coverage for people with pre-existing health conditions.

McCollum maintains that the tax would violate the provision of individual freedoms contained in both the United States Constitution and that of the State of Florida.

“I have grave concerns about the constitutionality of this mandate,” said McCullom. “Such a ‘living tax’ is worrisome because it would be levied on a person who does nothing, a person who simply wishes not to be forced to buy health insurance coverage…The mandate is especially troubling to Floridians who are guaranteed through the Florida Constitution to have ‘the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into [their] private life.’”

In another public statement to the media, McCullom explained his stance against the proposed tax and threatens legal action if it becomes law.

“I am committed to pursuing any legal action necessary to defend (the rights)…of the more than 18 million individuals who call Florida home,” writes McCollum.

Earlier this year, McCollum announced his intent to seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Florida in 2010. He intends to replace Governor Charlie Crist, a fellow Florida Republican, after serving one term as Attorney General. McCollum is considered the frontrunner in the race for the nomination because Crist also served as AG for Florida before he took over the state’s highest office.

Democratic Senator Dan Gelber of Miami, who is running to replace McCullom as Attorney General, quickly criticized McCullom in a statement shortly after McCllom announced his intent to review the constitutionality of the healthcare tax.

“General McCollum’s decision to use his office to investigate ways to block health insurance reform is exactly why we need new leadership in the Attorney General’s office,” said Gelber. “There are four million Floridians without health care including 800,000 children. Only one state has a higher percentage of uninsured. I wish McCollum was as concerned about solving Florida’s health care crisis as he was about stopping the solving of the health care crisis.”

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The reform bill passed in the House has the potential to change what all health insurance plans cover. An amendment proposed by Bart Stupak, which passed in the House of Representatives, prevents federal funding from being used to buy any health insurance plan that offers coverage of elective abortions. In exchange for the votes of pro-life Democrats essential to pass the legislation, the healthcare reform bill was modified. The previous language only prevented government money from being used directly to pay for an abortion.

Obviously, the public option will not include abortion coverage. However, the ban extends to private health insurers participating in the government’s insurance exchange. Low- and medium-income individuals and families will receive subsidies in order to buy a health insurance plan. A compromise proposed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which would serve to distinguish private dollars from federal money and allow insurers to cover abortion services with solely the latter, was rejected. Many people with employer-provided or individual health insurance have abortion coverage provided in their policies. In order to enter the potentially lucrative exchange market, insurers might eliminate that coverage entirely.

Those who pay for their entire health insurance policy out-of-pocket will still be allowed to buy plans that provide abortion coverage, although the availability and affordability of these plans will most likely decrease. Pro-choice advocates, such as Planned Parenthood, are crying foul.

Interestingly, the amendment received 240 votes–higher than the actual bill’s margin of victory. Assuming that many pro-choice Democrats voted against it, this result means that a significant portion of Republicans voted for the amendment. Whether they wanted to salvage something they wanted out of a bill that was almost certain to pass or sabotage the bill by creating a schism between Democrats, they decided to amend a bill while rejecting the bill itself.

(Image: mahalie under CC 2.0)

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Affordable health insurance and good for you One of the problems in our health service is the health financing. Approximately 70 percent of the cost of Indonesia to finance their own doctor or hospital, while health costs continue to rise. Increasingly sophisticated medical technology increasingly expensive health costs.Increased health costs not only happen in Indonesia, but throughout the world. Factors that increase the cost of the price of medicines, medical equipment, as well as honoraria doctors, although doctors honoraria element is merely a small part of overall health costs.Although we have health care carefully, the disease can come unexpectedly. Traffic accidents like that of your in-laws, for example, is a frequent event in Indonesia’s family, and even some 30,000 people die every year due to traffic accidents. Thus, it is wise to familiarize yourself Indonesia families protect themselves with health insurance. Regularly pay a premium, if fallen ill with the assistance of health insurance that does not burden the family expenses. We often see families who have debt to pay for hospital costs.Actually, in my experience, today’s health insurance in Indonesia is quite good. Support health insurance will depend on agreement between the customer and insurance companies. The greater the premium paid more complete support for insurance.Therefore, you need to look at the support of health insurance coverage before choosing health insurance. Does coverage include outpatient services and inpatient? Is there a particular disease that is not guaranteed insurance company?Also to note where the service. Are you able to choose doctors or hospitals you want or are limited to hospitals that have been appointed? All should be noted, including when the guarantee came into force effectively. For example, there are certain health insurance just beginning guarantee after 30 days after the signing of the agreement.Health insurance services is now very varied. In addition to offering financial guarantees when ill, there is combine them with certain services, such as premiums are paid in part shall be applied as a savings or investment.This offer is certainly interesting, but usually offered insurance premiums will be greater too. In addition, those who actually join the insurance program at a young age will get some ease, for example, no medical examination required and also to remember insurance premiums will increase with increasing age of the customer. So, come in health insurance at a young age.Although you and your family will already be a customer of health insurance, healthy lifestyle should remain obliged. It’s certainly better than the ill health though health insurance costs are covered. So, do not leave a healthy lifestyle has become a customer even though health insurance.I understand the challenges facing young families today’s Indonesia. I feel glad to place your family’s health as an important element that needs attention. Well, I hope you and your family will be healthy and happy always.

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