An amendment to require lawmakers to pay the same for their health insurance than about 27,000 other state employees who make $29,000 or less failed on a voice vote Tuesday.
During debate on a Department of Management Services reorganization bill, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, introduced an amendment to raise the monthly insurance health premiums for lawmakers from $8.34 to $50 a month for individual coverage and from $30 to $180 a month for family coverage.
“I see no rationale for people who make the same as us … to pay six times as much for their family coverage as we do,” Negron said.
Some members defended the cheaper rates, saying lawmakers have already reduced their pay in recent years and often spend money out of pocket to meet their obligations as local representatives. Increasing the cost of health care would make it harder for less affluent candidates to consider the job.
“I don’t want to see only rich people up here,” said Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach.
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said while most lawmakers can easily afford the increase, some, particularly younger members, will feel the pinch.
“This is not going to be a pretty mailer for anybody who votes against this,” Bennett said.
By taking the voice vote, chairman Sen. JD Alexande, R-Lake Wales, spared many of his members that potential threat.
