Specifically, the letter singled out the Office of Insurance Regulation
for work it has begun – and which legislative budget-writers approved –
to study how Florida's health-care laws should be amended to conform to
the federal reform, and to boost the state's ability to handle new
rate-filing data.
"Not only are Florida insurance officials helping the federal government to write rules on these matters, but [OIR] is jumpstarting these new regulatory functions by developing data systems necessary for enforcement," Cannon complained.
He added: "We intend to develop a clear and statutorily-defined framework for Florida agencies' activities in regard to the federal health law. Pending such legislative action, state agencies should examine each anticipated action or function in light of their specific statutory authority."
Laura Goodhue, executive director of Jupiter-based health-care advocacy group Florida CHAIN, said the criticism appeared designed to bully agencies into slowing their efforts to follow the federal law.
"I know transparency is important in implementing laws, but creating a chilling effect is certainly not helpful," said Goodhue, who attended meetings with OIR over the last year as part of an advisory health insurance board.
In response, most all of Florida's state agencies produced itemized lists of what they had done -- down to how many staff hours Department of Management Services staff spent examining new rules requiring lactation rooms and milk storage for breast-feeding mothers in the workplace.
"Not only are Florida insurance officials helping the federal government to write rules on these matters, but [OIR] is jumpstarting these new regulatory functions by developing data systems necessary for enforcement," Cannon complained.
He added: "We intend to develop a clear and statutorily-defined framework for Florida agencies' activities in regard to the federal health law. Pending such legislative action, state agencies should examine each anticipated action or function in light of their specific statutory authority."
Laura Goodhue, executive director of Jupiter-based health-care advocacy group Florida CHAIN, said the criticism appeared designed to bully agencies into slowing their efforts to follow the federal law.
"I know transparency is important in implementing laws, but creating a chilling effect is certainly not helpful," said Goodhue, who attended meetings with OIR over the last year as part of an advisory health insurance board.
In response, most all of Florida's state agencies produced itemized lists of what they had done -- down to how many staff hours Department of Management Services staff spent examining new rules requiring lactation rooms and milk storage for breast-feeding mothers in the workplace.
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