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In Florida, there’s been very little progress in reducing the number of people without health insurance over the last three years. That’s distressing, especially if you look forward. Poverty is increasing among Hispanics. Unemployment is rising. And huge medical bills are one of the main reasons people file for bankruptcy.
Here are some numbers the SunSentinel’s data base researchers John Maines and Dana Williams pulled out of the Census Bureau’s most recent report.
In Florida,
In 2007, the number of people without health insurance was 3,648,000 or 20.2 percent of the state’s population.In 2006, the number 3,828,000 or 21.2 percent.
In 2005, the number was 3,616,000 or 20.2 percent.
In 2004, the number was 3,382,000 or 19.4 percent.
In 2003, the number was 3,071,000 or 18.2 percent.
In 2002, the number was 2,843,000 or 17.3 percent.
In 2001, the number was 2,856,000 or 17.5 percent.
In 2000, the number was 2,620,000 or 17.3 percent.
Florida’s rank among states, by percent not covered:
2007 3
2006 4
2005 3
2004 3
2003 10
2002 9
2001 7
2000 8
Harriet Johnson Brackey, the personal finance writer for the Sun-Sentinel, has been an award-winning business...
Comments
I don't understand how so many people against Universal Healthcare when we have so many uninsured in this country.
Again, Universal Healthcare is not a perfect plan but its a whole lot better than the current system.
This is a country where there is good health care, the problem is that people can't afford to go to the doctor.
Posted by: Frank H. | August 27, 2008 2:33 PM
We're paying for their care. Through property taxes here in South Florida and through Medicaid. It's not like they go away just because they can't pay.
Posted by: Harriet | August 27, 2008 2:40 PM
WITH UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE YOU WILL BE WAITING IN LINE FOR YEARS BEFORE YOU GET TREATED OR GET A LIFE DEPENDING SURGERY. YEAH EVERYONE IS COVERED BUT YOU WAIT IN LINE JUST LIKE TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS DO. YOU WILL PROBABLY DIE FROM YOUR DISEASE OR ILLNESS BEFORE YOU GET TREATED. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT SO MANY FOREIGNERS COME TO THE UNITED STATES EVERY YEAR AND PAY CASH FOR TREATMENT! BECAUSE THEY CANT WAIT ANY LONGER. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU SPEAK!
Posted by: JF | August 27, 2008 3:48 PM
Thank you Jeb Bush--after all your failed appointments (Jerry Reigert, crony from New Mexico, resigning in disgrace after contract fraud, etc., etc.) and your fictious "Felon's List" lumping Democrats in with a sham listing of Felons, and your inappropriate interventions into legal matters (Terry Schaivo), the sum total of your "efforts" for Floridians can be seen in their shameful lack of medical coverage.
Brother is worst president in history, is Jeb Florida's worst governor?
Posted by: JL | August 28, 2008 12:44 PM