If you take a snapshot of this past year it looks like the overall number of people lacking health insurance in America fell last year to nearly 45 million from 48 million in the year 2006. That was announced today by the U.S. Census bureau. If you take a look at this math equation in percentage terms, that’s a decrease of 15 percent of the population from 16 percent previously. So why is it that Florida can’t do the same?

The sunshine state of Florida now ranks as one of the highest uninsured states in the U.S. Florida ranks third behind Texas and New Mexico in percent of residents without health insurance. Last year over 20% of Florida residents went without health insurance. How can the majority of states in the U.S. do a better job? What should be our next steps to shorten that percentage?

1. Bonnie Says:
   August 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

   We should look at the factors that make Florida and other uninsured states different from those with higher rates of insured residents. Does it have to do with governmental differences? financial differences? educational differences? You can’t fix a problem unless you understand what it is.

2. Randy Says:
   August 26th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

   I think Florida has such a huge gap in social/economical classes that a lot of Floridians can’t afford health insurance.

3. JohnF Says:
   August 26th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

   I think Bonnie has it right. How do we fix the problem without putting our finger on why Florida has more uninsured than other states? I would say that Florida, Texas and New Mexico all probably have high rates of non-citizens b/c and one would think these people are probably less likely to have health insurance. Florida is also one of the only states that doesn’t have a high risk pool for uninsured individuals and the government programs are not as good as other states or marketed properly.

4. Bud L Says:
   August 27th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

   Florida can do anything any other state can do if there is enough coming its way in federal subsidies. I’ve heard Florida bemoan the added expense of accomodating an inordinate number of immigrants (dating back to the first influx of Cubans) for over 4 decades. We have unique issues that put a strain on all of our public service offerings. A large transient population, income disparity, no state income tax, illegals, under-educated, infrastructure requirements and repairs to serve an ever expanding population (both foreign and transplants from other states), an aging population unlike most states (and they bring their medical issues with them) etc. The problems in Texas and New Mexico don’t even approach Florida’s.

   I would be curious how Las Vegas does with its huge monthly influx of new residents.