Crist's "Cover Florida" now in effect

The Plan:

For around 150 dollars a month an individual can get basic preventative and catastrophic coverage. The state’s new low cost insurance plan works like a health care buffet.

Governor Charlie Crist says people can choose preventative coverage only, or they can choose coverage that includes catastrophic as well as hospital care.

Six insurance companies will carry 25 different Cover Florida plans. The Governor’s Health Insurance Advisor says the wide selection will allow people to scale back coverage to save money.

The plan is offered to Floridians ages 19 --64, who were either laid off and lost their coverage or have been uninsured for at least six months.