Original Author:
dantilson
Florida has among the highest percentages of children with no health insurance of any state in the country. Almost one in five are uninsured, twice the national average. The situation for adults is no better, with the latest data indicating one out of every four to five is uninsured. It’s hard to believe that the economic and unemployment crises Florida has been facing won’t make that bad situation even worse.
Because millions of uninsured men, women and children have no family doctor, they don’t receive proper preventive care or regular screenings for chronic illnesses. As a result, they often end up sicker than insured people, going undiagnosed and untreated for years while suffering with worsening cases of hypertension, diabetes and other life-threatening but treatable, often preventable conditions.
Medicare celebrated its 45th birthday last week. There were parties around the country and, while I don't know if people brought presents, health care reform is kind of a gift for Medicare. The Medicare Trustees issued their annual report this week and said Medicare is on sounder financial footing -- by 12 years -- than it was a year ago. Seniors who fall in the prescription drug donut hole can now get rebates to help with the cost of their prescriptions; next year they'll get 50% discounts on those prescriptions. Also next year, preventive care like mammograms and physicals will be free for seniors.
President Obama used his weekly address to talk about Medicare and how health care reform has strengthened it.
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