The Florida Legislature isn't just a sheep ranch; it's a slaughterhouse. What has been happening with the KidCare bill discredits not just the House, where it might have been expected, but the Senate as well.
The story so far: Gov. Jeb Bush and the Republican-led Legislature, embarrassed that 100,000 children from low-income families are on the state's waiting list for health care insurance, intend to solve their problem by simply disposing of the waiting list. Hereafter, there will be two open enrollments a year, first-come, first-served, so long as the money lasts. For everybody else, tough luck; try again.
The state will spend about $25-million to serve more children, but as many as 20,000 now in the program will be kicked out, chiefly because health insurance for them is available through a parent's employer. In belated recognition of the fact that workplace insurance is often priced beyond reach, both bills now keep the state's door open if the private coverage for children would cost more than 7.5 percent of the family's income.
But that's the only concession sponsors were willing to make as the bills sped through the House and Senate appropriations committees Monday. Worse still was the way the committees treated public witnesses, including spokespersons of the March of Dimes and the Florida PTA, who wanted to appeal for broader eligibility, more money or a more responsible way to process applications. The citizens got less than 15 minutes overall; the House committee held them to one minute each. To call that arrogant would understate the offense. It was less time than they would spend over a single drink with a corporate lobbyist.
Tallahassee politicians take pains, as evident throughout Tuesday's opening day ceremonies, to pretend that they care not just for their big contributors but for everyone. What happened Monday gave the lie to that. It wasn't about Republicans and Democrats, as the majority would have everyone think. It was about pulling a fast one on the public. Seldom has any session gotten off to such an ominous start.
