(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Almost 300 residents seeking affordable health insurance attended Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle's Health Insurance Forum on July 1, 2009 at William H. Turner Technical Arts High School in Miami. The commissioner organized the event in order to encourage residents to register for Miami-Dade Blue, a new health plan co-designed by Miami-Dade's Office of Countywide Healthcare Planning (OCHP) and BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, Inc. (BCBSF). The insurance plan offers comprehensive coverage with affordable monthly premiums to County residents and small business owners who are struggling with the high cost of insurance, but do not qualify for government programs. It is estimated that more than 600,000 people in Miami-Dade County are without health insurance.

Commissioner Rolle was joined by Penny Shaffer, BCBSF's Market President, and Janet Perkins, OCHP's Executive Director, who answered residents' questions about qualifying for Miami-Dade Blue, which began its coverage on July 1, 2009. Miami-Dade Blue offers a wide range of services, including office visits, surgery, hospitalization, outpatient surgery, pharmacy and dental coverage, to individuals under the age of 65, and small businesses of up to 50 employees. Attendees of the event registered for the plan and will be contacted by a BCBSF representative if they qualify for coverage.

"This plan targets thousands residents who have never had health insurance before because they can't afford the skyrocketing costs of current products out there," said Commissioner Rolle. "Miami-Dade Blue is an option in reach for many people who want to have quality health care for themselves and for their families."

Last year, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved the Miami-Dade Blue health plan. This past May, the plan was introduced to the public at a County Hall press conference led by Commissioner Joe A. Martinez, who spearheaded the legislation. "I am proud to support Miami-Dade Blue and bring it to the residents in my district. I thank my colleague Commissioner Martinez for making affordable health care a priority in our community," said Commissioner Rolle.  

To find out more about Miami-Dade Blue, please visit www.bcbsfl.com or call 1-800-950-8519.

Dade County Commissioner Dorrin D. Rolle (left) and Penny Shaffer of BCBSF present the new Miami-Dade Blue Health Plan to residents in Commissioner Rolle's district.	Commissioner Rolle (center) answers questions from residents about Miami-Dade Blue, as hundreds more stand in line to apply for the insurance plan.