The Health Care Problem in America: How it Affects Florida

by Meghan McCartan East Coast Health Insurance Freelance Writer

It’s impossible to ignore the health care debate in this country, if you watch the news, read the paper, or have been even partly tuned in since last November’s election. One of the most talked about issues (beyond the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, beyond anything) is the debate over health care, and regardless of “flash-in-the-pan” media stories (such as the “Beer Summit”, in which President Obama brought together a Boston police officer with a Harvard professor)—the overwhelming story that will be with us for some time is the future of health insurance.

The story in a nutshell revolves around the President’s campaign promise to provide accessible and affordable health care to every American—the families who are struggling with unemployment and have lost their benefits; those who are trying to follow the path towards self employment – every American.

It is fairly easy to lose track of the issues in the confusion of Repbulican vs. Democrat partisan debate. Frustratingly for many Americans, their representatives seem more involved in scoring points or maintaining party lines, instead of clearly enumerating the issues and working together to reach a solution. What are the main issues being discussed…and how are they falling, within the party divisions?

Universal health care is the overwhelming rallying cry and while it is difficult to argue against a system that offers opportunity and access to everyone, the issues are of course more complex. Democrats are working towards government sponsored universal health care. The “government sponsored” element is what has many workers in Florida and nationwide worried. The fear is the likely trend upward in paying for that care, even as part of group health insurance. And of course there is the fear of lost benefits when a job is lost.

On the other side of the aisle are the Republicans, who along party guidelines are reacting against the increase in governmental influence. They are questioning the scope of the plan and predicting insurmountably high costs for this government-sponsored health care. In fact, this is the basis for one of their main arguments; to date, no one has yet been adequately able to suggest a way to pay for these costs; subsequently, tax increases become a part of any discussion, often sidelining the debate on the actual health care issues.

A couple of other main points to watch—even as the initial August deadline has passed:

• The House is advocating for a new insurance marketplace, called an exchange. Individuals or small businesses would be able to choose coverage from private sources or government sponsored programs.
• Through such an exchange low income individuals would be eligible for expanded Medicaid benefits.
• The exchange would provide high- or mid-income earners access to government subsidies.
• The other side: Republicans complain about the costs and funding of these solutions (mostly covered by tax increases, especially on higher-earning Americans)

Another issue for those in Florida to tune in to, especially if facing job loss, are arguments that will extend benefits for those unemployed (including COBRA, at a reduced rate). The old 6-month COBRA option, now extended to 9 months and possibly even going beyond, for a full year, provides a ray of hope especially as the unemployment rate shows signs of stabilizing and even dropping.

The debate in Washington will likely continue. While it’s difficult to separate the partisanship from the issues, the result of the ongoing solution will hopefully be a long-term, workable solution for the country.

In the meantime East Coast Health Insurance pushes health insurance reform onto the Florida Health Insurance market by continuing to evolve and offer the newest and best plans for both the residents of Florida and the health industry.  We are vigorously promoting the new Miami Dade Blue plan because it introduces reform at the local level involving local hospitals, doctors, and practitioners in an effort to offer affordable heath insurance to Miami-Dade County.  You can support this plan coming to the rest of Florida by shopping it with us if you live in Miami and comparing it to  your current Florida health insurance benefits. Don’t even worry about prices as the Miami Dade Blue plan is the most affordable plan anywhere in Florida and with a deductible of only $250 most people think it too good to be true.  It can be!  Also please call, support, or vote for Commissioner Joe Martinez of Miami as he is the one that developed and pushed this plan through relentlessly for his own constituents not to earn any political points.  He doesn’t even know who we are but we thank him for you.