Florida Republican legislators Julio Gonzalez, MD, JD, of Venice and Fred Costello, DDS, of Ormond Beach, proposed an alternative for healthcare reform, according to the Miami Herald.
Dr. Gonzalez is an orthopedic surgeon and Dr. Costello is a dentist.
Here are six key points:
1. The plan places physicians in the driver seats and gives consumers more control of their healthcare costs.
2. The legislators propose Florida implement its own program to pay for disadvantaged residents, relieving the burden of Medicaid federal restrictions.
3. Ultimately, the legislators don't want the total costs of healthcare to exceed one-third of Florida's budget.
4. Patients hold more power in their healthcare, negotiating with hospitals for better prices.
5. Insurance companies would lose power, as patients would use health savings accounts.
6. Other legislators are not fully supportive of the proposal, citing issues with various aspects, such as limiting telemedicine reach to Florida physicians.
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