Governor Crist informs us that 1 in 4 Floridians under the age of 65 lack health insurance. A recent article suggests that number is almost twice as high when taking into consideration anyone who is uninsured during the course of the year.
This suggests that more than 40% of Florida citizens under the age of 65 may lack health insurance. Florida ranks third for uninsured in the U.S. for all ages. It’s number 2 for children.
Unfortunately the medical associations, for-profit health insurers, and the pharmaceutical industry will continue to lobby successfully to maintain the status quo, despite the rising number of uninsured and overall public dissatisfaction with health care delivery. A showdown looms, and the sooner the better.
House Resolution 676 would expand Medicare to all, probably require a tax and move us toward a one-payer system. Some would argue that this constitutes socialized medicine. I say that’s untrue. The socialized-medicine label in this case is is a scare tactic used by those who would protect our non-system of health care.
H.R. 676 could reduce administrative costs to under 5% and end the need for targeted programs like Medicaid and SCHIP that prove inefficient and leave too many in need unprotected.
Note my estimates of the current state of the uninsured in the Tampa Bay area:
Hernando 20% 35% at any time during the course of the year
Hillsborough 30% 45% at any time during the course of the year
Manatee 25% 40% at any time during the course of the year
Pasco 25% 40% at any time during the course of the year
Pinellas 23% 38% at any time during the course of the year
Sarasota 19% 34% at any time during the course of the year
Polk 22% 37% at any time during the course of the year
Dr. Marc Yacht is the former director of the Pasco County Health Department. He is the editor in chief of the Florida Medical Association quarterly magazine, serves as Vice President of the West Pasco Habitat For Humanity board, volunteers at the CARE’s Senior Clinic and blogs at GoToTell.com.