Florida Health Insurance Chat l Group Health Insurance Blog

Economist state that there could have been a lot more done to help our health care deficit, for example breaking Medicare up into smaller companies and allowing health insurance competition from state to state. But that is not the solution being proposed in the reform bills. Instead congress wants to expand health care spending to an additional 50 million people in an undefined, taxpayer financed, and government run plan. The House is proposing over $900 billion in new spending. Congressional democrats are guilty of hiding the costs in the public option proposed bill. It took Medicare more than 50 years to experience deficits based on revenue losses. It has been said that the public option will looses billions within 6 years.

Florida tried a very similar tactic with hurricane and property insurance, developing a public option to compete with private insurers. This causes private insurers to flee the state and the public option did not have sufficient reserves to pay for a major hurricane. In other words tax payers would end up footing the bill. This hurricane public option proved to be unsustainable and forced Floridians off private insurance which basically created unfunded liability.  Is this where we are headed with if the proposed public option becomes a reality?

One fact during the health insurance debate that just about everyone can agree on is bringing more young adults into the health care system. This would help balance out the cost for everyone because young adults generally use the least amount of care. Supporters of the health care reform say that young American citizens will be among the largest beneficiaries of changes that promise to bring more affordable health insurancealternatives to the individual market. Health care is a hot topic for college students who worry about post graduation jobs and their ability to receive employer supplied health insurance. Do you think by recruiting more young people into the health care system will lower health insurance cost for everyone?

Finding affordable health insurance now a day is very difficult in the light of the rising health care costs, but the case may be different in Jacksonville, Florida. Many Floridians think there are a lot of barriers to obtaining affordable health insurance, but this is not the case. By using a health insurance broker you can acquire affordable health insurance in the Jacksonville area. High deductible coverage plans are available in Jacksonville for individuals and families. The plans start from $35 per month for individuals and $275 for families. These plans are intended to provide families with health insurance coverage at affordable prices and prevent large medical bills from causing financial problems. Do you agree by utilizing an insurance broker is the best way to find affordable insurance?

The President of Duval County Medical Society, R. Steven Lucie has said that we as Americans have access to the best health care in the world but when it comes to quality care and health insurance we have an attitude like cost is no objective. Before America can set up significant health care reform it first must establish a federal medical liability reform. National health insurance reform is needed to regulate an industry that has made it almost impossible for people to purchase affordable health insurance. Lucie says that until we come to terms with rising medical costs, a government health care plan will only put us further in debt. Do you agree with Mr. Lucie?

Smokers cannot save Florida from its economic crisis. Each family in ceFlorida pays nearly $700 a year in taxes to cover the states massive Medicaid burden caused by smoking related illnesses. Health insurance companies blame smokers for the unreasonable and costly co-pays and deductibles these taxes are paid by everyone even the nonsmokers. The raised cigarette prices are not sufficient enough to pay for the states deficit. However, my thoughts are that every penny helps. According to Robert Weissert or Tax Watch revenue for the new tobacco tax or user free could help pay for the state’s health care needs and cut down the cost on health insurance. The tax would provide more funds for the additional doctors and nurses that are needed in Florida to take care of older population. What are your thoughts? Will the new tobacco taxes make health insurance more affordable and will the tax help with the Medicare burden?

The first step toward realistic health-care reform is to look past the incorrect information. The second step is to look past principles and support compromise. The chance to reform health insurance will not always be available. If it fails this time, it could be hundreds of years before reform is attempted again. Sixty million uninsured people and billions more affected by the system’s flaws can’t afford another failure. First we need to ignore all of the incorrect information that the media and other sources feed us. People fear reform will diminish their choices. That is definitely not the case under any congressional plan. Choice is not even part of the equation. People who have insurance currently and don’t want to change it can continue on just as before. If anything, their choices of affordable health insurance will multiply as well as their choice of care. What do you think? Is there too much incorrect information about the health insurance reform?

According to the Orlando Florida Sentinel more and more young blue collar workers in Florida are going without health insurance simply because they cannot afford it. Experts are saying that this could be very detrimental and could cause many problems in the future. The number of uninsured individuals has escalated by 14 million since 2000. The young adult population is forgoing routine Dr.’s visits, dental hygiene and delaying urgent medical care because they have no health insurance. This is a major concern to health experts. According to the physicians and hospitals if this trend continues it could mean a sicker country in the future. Do you agree with the experts?

The University Florida Health Science Campus and Shands Health care facility in Gainesville Florida has officially gone tobacco free. As of November 2010 the use of any tobacco products on campus or in the parking lots will be prohibited. This decision to go tobacco free supports the facilities commitment to provide a healthy environment for their patients, students and employees. This new rule also helps to promote wellness and disease prevention. Millions of health insurance dollars are spent each year on smoking related illnesses. Tobacco dependence is the nation’s most preventable cause of death and disease. By implementing more rules like this the University & Hospital are contributing to a healthier society. What do you think of this new rule?

According to a recent report released by consumer advocates, health insurance companies in Florida control so much business that they have subdued competition and fueled health insurance inflation in the state. Due to the lack of health insurance competition in Florida and nationally it has lead to insurance premiums increasing and ultimately contributes to the millions of uninsured people. The consumer advocates are lobbying for a public plan option which is supposed to bring more competition into the market place. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and Aetna control about 50 percent of Florida’s insurance. If consumers do not have many choices in the way of insurance then the insurance companies can basically do what they want. Do you agree?

According to Chrystal Hutchinson the Deputy Director of Florida Consumer Action Network states the American needs to address the long history of discrimination in medical treatment and revamp the way Dr’s, hospitals, health insurance companies and government programs provide care. According to a recent study 26 percent of African Americans in Florida are uninsured a rate 56 percent higher for Caucasians. The new health care reform must provide quality affordable health coverage to everyone regardless of, age, race, sex, ethnicity or income. A public health insurance plan will begin to bridge the gaps of health equity. What do you think will a public plan eliminate discrimination?