Gov. Charlie Crist and Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp criss-crossed the state for the third day in a row Wednesday, holding multiple bill signing events to promote a package of health insurance bills that passed the Legislature. The latest is the bill creating Crist's "Cover Florida" plan to offer scaled-down health insurance policies to the uninsured for premiums $150 a month or less.

"It will take away worry. Worry is a terrible thing," Crist said. 

Small business owners Cindy and Dan Perron of Madison praised Crist and legislators for taking steps to help the uninsured get coverage. They employ 12 people at their heating and AC repair business and have had no health insurance for 21 years. "This is what government should do. They work for the people that elect them," Dan Perron said at a press conference -- sounding a lot like the "people's governor" who summoned him to the microphones.

Now state agencies will negotiate with multiple health insurers to
develop packages of plans that will include preventative care,
screenings, doctor visits, prescription drugs and diabetic care for
people 19 to 64 years old.

Nearly 4-million Floridians have no
insurance, and people must be uninsured for at least six months to be
eligible. Crist hailed the bill (SB 2534) as a triumph of bipartisan
teamwork, and with him were Republican Sen. Durell Peaden and
Democratic Rep. Curtis Richardson.

Jim Blacher of Florida Association
of Health Plans, which represents HMOs and health providers, said:
"Yes, our members are excited about the possibility of offering these
plans."