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Nelson Urges Veto on Insurance Bill

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, released a letter to Gov. Rick Scott saying the bill that suspends Florida from setting health insurance rates for two years is “unbelievable and unconscionable.”  

He is urging Scott to veto the bill, saying that it puts Floridians at risk of high rate hikes, the Palm Beach Post reports.

But those who supported the bill say the goal is to help the state adjust to new regulatory requirements under the Affordable Care Act. Since the rules are undergoing a lot of changes, supporters say, the federal government is in the best position to review rates.

Health News Florida asked the Office of Insurance Regulation for a response, but spokeswoman Amy Bogner referred inquiries to the governor’s office. Scott is currently out of the country.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.