A Florida Senate committee has approved a proposal that would allow the Florida Farm Bureau to offer largely unregulated health coverage to farmers. The Republican-controlled Commerce and Tourism Committee voted 6-3 along party lines to advance the bill (SB 480).
The legislation, filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, would create “medical benefit plans” that would be exempt from the state and federal regulations that apply to traditional health insurance. DiCeglie argued that the bill would provide much-needed options for farmers who struggle to obtain affordable health coverage. “Farmers know what’s best for farmers in the state of Florida,” he stated.
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However, Democrats on the committee raised concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential for inadequate coverage. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, acknowledged the “noble goal” of the bill but questioned the specifics of the proposed plans, including whether they would cover pre-existing conditions.
“We want to make sure it is good coverage, as well,” Smith said.
The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee. If it passes that hurdle, it will go before the full Senate for a vote. A companion bill in the House (HB 497) has already been approved by two subcommittees.
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