Bradenton Florida Health Insurance

Bradenton Florida Health Insurance News

Do you think Universal Health Care is a good investment for the young children of Bradenton, Florida? It seems to be the hot debate for all of the Presidential candidates this year, 2008. With nearly 9 million children uninsured in Florida, it seems time to come up with a solution. Will a Democratic President bring a Universal Health Care program that will flourish in our modern times? Will the system stay broken if a Republican is re elected?


Will investing in affordable health care coverage for our nation's low-income children saves taxpayer dollars in the long run? Is it the right thing do to.... Nothing is more important than the health of our children. Yet many of the estimated 47 million Americans who go without health insurance every day are children. These kids will either forego health care, which could lead to costly chronic conditions, or land in the emergency room at taxpayer expense.
In 1997, Congress approved by an overwhelming and bipartisan margin the creation of the children's health insurance program to extend health care to 6 million kids across the country. The results have been a resounding success. Since its creation, the program has reduced the number of uninsured kids in America by one-third. Nearly all of those children live in families with income levels not much higher than the federal poverty level, or about $41,000 for a family of four.
Currently 6.6 million low-income kids nationally are enrolled in the health care program. Under the program, money is sent to the states to administer the benefit. The federal match makes up approximately 70 cents of every dollar the State of Florida spends on "KidCare" to provide health insurance to some of Florida's low-income children.
Without this state and federal partnership, the children of Florida would depend on our emergency rooms and other high-cost medical coverage, which in many cases is unpaid and further burdens all taxpayers. Also, with the program providing coverage, many serious illnesses can be prevented and lives can be saved. That's why the Children's Health program is such a worthwhile investment. It gives kids from low-income families access to the care and medicine they need to live healthy lives.
"KidCare" is currently providing coverage for approximately 226,000 children in Florida who are at or below the 200 percent federal poverty level. Unfortunately, this is less than half the children who are eligible for the program. Efforts are ongoing in the Florida Legislature to streamline the process, make it more efficient, and remove barriers to enrollment so that we can provide coverage for the most children possible. But we need continued federal support to increase enrollment and provide a safety net for our children.
Recently, Congress voted to expand the program to provide coverage for up to 10 million kids nationwide. The bill was approved with bipartisan support in the House and Senate. It would reauthorize the program for five years and provide states with sufficient funding to cover an additional 4 million kids. Florida would receive $51 million more in 2008 to cover low-income children, according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Like most legislation that emerges from Congress, this bill is not perfect. But it represents significant progress as we search for ways to reduce the ranks of the uninsured and protect our children.
In addition to covering more kids, this bill shores up dental and mental health benefits. This is particularly important given that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, while 1 in 10 kids suffer from serious mental health problems.
The bill is endorsed by a wide range of groups, including the American Medical Association, AARP and the YMCA.
Millions of kids across the country have been given a healthy start in life thanks to this important program. We can't turn our backs on them now. Our kids are worth it.
Congressman Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, helped pass House legislation to renew and expand the Children's Health Insurance Program. State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, is chairman of the Healthy Families Committee in the Florida House and the sponsor of the KidCare reform legislation of the 2007 regular session.