Initially, members of Having Affordable Coverage were a little disheartened when they boarded the bus back to Pasco County.

Some were upset more lawmakers didn’t attend the rally and that leaders of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee wouldn’t let them speak before they had to leave. A few grumbled that the best thing about the trip was the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the group provided.

The hum of the bus’ engine and the miles on the road seemed to wash away at least some of the hard feelings.

Talk of writing scathing letters to lawmakers softened into plans of asking their support in repealing a law that allows insurers to raise rates without regulatory approval.

Ginny Stevans, the group’s president, spent most of the ride back talking with lawmakers and other advocates in Tallahassee. She began to believe that the change, which the group supports, has a good chance of passing during the week-long special session. It’s not everything the group wants, but it’s better than nothing.

“You can hammer the lawmakers, but please wait until after they include amendment,” Stevans told the group.

The bus arrived in Pasco County about an hour later and riders filed out to their cars.

The mood had turned more upbeat and members spoke with various television news crews.

Still, lawmakers should expect to get bombarded with letters and calls from the group before the end of the special session. Members say they won’t let their issues die.

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