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Hernando Today

State Ranks 3rd In Health Insurance Loss

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: March 7, 2009

A new report shows Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of people losing their health coverage.

Last month, the Center for American Progress (CAP) released a report estimating that, because of the spiraling unemployment, about 14,000 workers lost their health insurance every day in December and January.

In Florida, that number was 850 per day. Only California and New York had higher numbers.

States with larger populations and that were disproportionately hit economically bore a larger share of the increase in the numbers of people losing their insurance from becoming unemployed.

The numbers directly affect all taxpayers because they are the ones who ultimately end up footing the bill for the uninsured's hospital or medical bills.

Aware of the problem, the state has launched what it calls Cover Florida Health Care Access (CFHCA) program.

The program is available to Floridians age 19 to 64 who have been without health insurance for at least six months or who are recently unemployed - even if there are pre-existing health conditions.
Floridians may also be eligible if, during the previous six months, they have lost employer-sponsored health benefits due to loss of a job or are no longer covered by a public health insurance program.

Six health insurance providers have signed on to the program, which offers several options and includes coverage for as little as $24 per month.

"Most of Florida's nearly four million uninsured have jobs, often with small businesses that have just a few employees. They typically do not have health insurance because their employers don't offer it, or they simply cannot afford it," Florida Gov. Crist said in a prepared statement.

For more information, visit the www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com Web site to compare the sample benefits and premium information from the six insurers.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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