Health Coverage Costs to Jump
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1A WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM Health coverage costs to jump Actuarial group for Floridian’s individual policies health coverage to an expanded of workers private insurance, but it’s unclear under the federal health over- Medicaid population and how House and Senate committees whether the House will be recep- projects increases haul, according to a study by the they will tailor state insurance recently voted against expanding tive to that plan. of 22 to 26 percent. nation’s leading group of financial regulations to conform with the Medicaid coverage to more than If Florida lawmakers do not risk analysts. federal health law. 1 million Floridians, worrying the expand Medicaid or offer some By BRUCE SCHREINER Uncertainty over costs associ- The greater costs could mean federal government wouldn’t live type of alternative coverage to and KELLI KENNEDY ated with the Affordable Care higher insurance premiums for up to its promise to pay for 100 that population the study esti- Associated Press Act has been a major concern residents who will buy individual percent of the bill for the first mates a 22 percent increase among Florida’s GOP-controlled policies through Florida’s health three years and 90 percent after in medical costs for individual TALLAHASSEE — Medical Legislature. The study by the benefit exchange. The report that. Republican Sen. Joe Negron coverage under the Affordable claims costs — the biggest driver Society of Actuaries comes as does not project medical claim has instead proposed a voucher Care Act by 2017. If the state of health insurance premiums — lawmakers are still trying to costs for employer-sponsored plan that would use those federal could jump more than 20 percent decide whether they will offer plans, which cover the majority dollars to help residents purchase PREMIUMS continued on 3A ‘Parent trigger’ debate grows Proponents, foes press points as House vote looms. By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press TALLAHASSEE — With a key vote looming in the Florida House, rival groups ratcheted up their arguments Tuesday on a bill that would give par- ents a stronger voice in chart- ing a turnaround course for Photos by TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter failing public schools. A car at an Alpha Terrace address rests on its roof after it was flipped by the roots of the adjacent tree when the tree was blown over during Supporters, including Saturday’s storms. City and county officials report progress in cleaning up and repairing storm damage. former Gov. Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Florida’s Future, said the so-called “parent trigger” bill (HB 867) would empower parents by Recovery efforts continue allowing them to vote on what to do with a failing school. Options include reassigning students to other schools or Debris removal, property repairs under way handing the school over to a private company to run as a City, county crews working charter school. overtime to open roads, The bill’s fans downplayed the prospect that the bill remove trees and trash. would open the floodgates to convert public schools into By TONY BRITT charter schools. [email protected] “The notion that there’s an army of charter opera- Logs, tree limbs and other storm debris tors out there waiting to take are more common at some eastside Lake advantage of this law simply City addresses than trash dumpsters after flies in the face of the facts,” the weekend’s damaging storms. said Patrick DeTemple, who While the storms are gone, cleanup efforts has assisted parental drives are expected to continue throughout the to improve failing schools week. in California, where a simi- Albert and Claudia Howard, who live on lar law has been in effect for Alpha Terrace, spent most of Tuesday after- Morris Timmons (right) speaks to his insurance agent about how his home was damaged in some years. noon removing a tree that fell across their Saturday’s storm. Timmons said much on the debris on his home got there when winds blew the Jeff Wright with the Florida fence. They had to wait to move the tree roof and trusses off the business nextdoor. Education Association said until they could find someone to cut it into later that the bill was being smaller pieces. orchestrated by school-choice “It took three days to get somebody advocates and has been heav- out here to clean it up,” Claudia Howard No outside help coming ily lobbied by charter school said. “We’ve got to get our fence repaired supporters. and someone to take the debris and limbs By TONY BRITT organizations are expected houses that had partial or “Why are no parents from away.” [email protected] to be taxed to their limits as whole destruction that were this state participating in these The Howards had storm damage to their residents continue to request either not insured or were conversations?” he asked. pickup truck, the roof of their home as well Columbia County does services. underinsured (to qualify),” “And the parents who care as their fence. However, Claudia Howard said not qualify for federal disas- David Krause, Columbia Krause said. “We did not here have said, ‘This isn’t what she was thankful the damage wasn’t more ter assistance to help offset County senior administrative have 21 houses that have we want.’ We believe we have extensive, as she pointed to her neighbor’s costs arising from the week- assistant, said federal aid is reported to us, and that the influence back home to yard, where a car rested on its roof following end storm damage. based on specific qualifica- would be for Small Business tell our school boards what we after being flipped by the root of a large tree Without the federal fund- tions and the county didn’t Administration assistance.” want done with these schools. ing, some of the services meet the necessary criteria. We don’t need California nor CLEANUP continued on 3A provided by local charitable “We would need 21 COST continued on 3A the foundation’s help.” Under the bill, the local school board would make the decision on the turnaround plan, and it could go against March of Dimes walk set for April 13 downtown the wishes of the majority of parents. The local board’s By AMANDA WILLIAMSON The annual March for Babies to Kathy McCallister, community snacks for marchers throughout decision could be overruled by [email protected] walk will begin at 8 a.m. with director for the Suwannee Valley. the walk route. the State Board of Education. registration, and the walk will The walk will stretch 5.5 miles “We’re going to walk rain or Miami Republican Rep. March of Dimes this year cel- start at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 through the city, including the shine,” McCallister said. Carlos Trujillo, the bill’s lead ebrates the 75th anniversary for adults and $15 for children. Ambassador Avenue in front of The March of Dimes helped sponsor, said Tuesday he of the founding of the organiza- Food, entertainment and bounce the Veterans Affairs Hospital, create a vaccine for polio, the expects a House vote some- tion by President Franklin D. houses for the children will be where walkers will be able to disease that crippled FDR and time in early April. The bill Roosevelt, and the Lake City provided by Skate Palace. Disc hear the stories from the families inspired him to create the organi- recently cleared the House’s Chapter invites the community jockey Rusty Baily will provide of premature babies or babies zation. Since its creation in 1938, education committee on a 10- to help prevent premature births music for the walk. born with birth defects. Eight the March of Dimes has also 7 vote. A similar bill passed by marching on Saturday, April Last year, the March of Dimes Spirit Stations sponsored by local 13, in downtown Olustee Park. walk raised $100,000, according businesses will have water and MARCH continued on 3A TRIGGER continued on 3A Vol. 138, No. 301 Opinion . 4A CALL US: Obituaries . 5A TODAY IN COMING (386) 752-1293 63 33 Advice & Comics . 4B PEOPLE THURSDAY SUBSCRIBE TO Mostly Sunny Puzzles . 2B THE REPORTER: ‘American idol’ Local news Voice: 755-5445 WEATHER, 2A Weather . 2A ratings slipping. roundup. Fax: 752-9400 Classifieds. 5B 2AWEATHER 2A LAKE CITY REPORTER DAILY BRIEFING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 Page Editor: Jim Barr, 754-0424 Celebrity Birthdays Saturday: Saturday: n Hall of Fame racer Cale Farriss (INXS) is 54. Afternoon: 5-3-7 Afternoon: 4-7-4-3 Saturday: Yarborough is 74. n Jazz musician Dave Koz Evening: N/A Evening: N/A 11-19-22-24-35 n Actor Michael York is is 50. 71. n Movie director Quentin n Rock musician Tony Tarantino is 50. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Banks (Genesis) is 63. n Rock musician Derrick n Rock musician Andrew McKenzie (Jamiroquai) is 49. Ratings dip but ‘Idol’ gets the ads Daily Scripture “For it has been granted to you LOS ANGELES on behalf of Christ not only to n the heyday of “American believe in Him, but also to suf- Idol,” the notion that it could fer for Him.” fall ratings victim to a zombie — Philippians 1:29 slugfest or standard crime drama would have been laugh- Iable. That was then. With Fox’s singing Thought for Today contest shedding about 20 percent of its audience so far this season to “Often the test of courage is hit new lows, it’s been leapfrogged repeatedly in total viewers by series not to die but to live.” including the CBS procedurals “Person of Interest” and “NCIS.” — Vittorio Alfieri, In a harsher blow to a block- Italian dramatist (1749-1803) buster that once ruled the adver- tiser-adored young adult segment, “American Idol” has been overtaken ASSOCIATED PRESS this season by AMC’s “The Walking Lake City Reporter ‘American Idol’ judges (from left) Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and HOW TO REACH US Dead,” despite the addition of glossy BUSINESS Mariah Carey applaud a contestant’s performance.