|
|
 |
|
Debbie Watson Lynn Phillips Carolan |
 |
|
May 2004My Word by Joan Ruffier Close your eyes.Picture a Central Floridian without health insurance. Chances are, you immediately thought of someone unemployed. However, in Florida, nearly one in five working adults is uninsured--and the picture is similarly bleak across the country, according to new statistics released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This trend matters because, if you're uninsured, you are less likely to get the medical care you need, less likely to have a personal doctor, less likely to treat health problems early and twice as likely to report being in poor or fair health as compared to those who are insured, according to the RWJ report released to kick off the national Cover the Uninsured Week . Those without health insurance come in all sizes and shapes, locations and ages, and the numbers are growing. There are 44 million uninsured Americans, including 8.5 million children. In Orange County, nearly 151,000 residents are uninsured. Workers and employers are struggling with health care costs, and the issues affect us all. It is time to tune in. The plight of our uninsured citizens needs attention at all levels, and the best time is now. That is why the Winter Park Health Foundation felt it important to participate in the national Cover the Uninsured Week which begins Monday (May 10.) We're co-hosting a simulation on Monday called "Walk in My Shoes," designed to give local leaders the chance to experience the problems faced by uninsured Central Floridians. Then Thursday, we're co-hosting a seminar for small businesses where they will learn how to stretch their insurance dollars and find out about new legislation that affects them. Our hope is to offer opportunities for people to learn about these health issues. That also is why in April we issued the policy brief "What Could a Waiver to Restructure Medicaid Mean for Florida?" It is the first of a series of educational briefs under the broad title of "Florida's Health at Risk" that we plan to release. This one was commissioned from the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. We hope to spark a thoughtful public discussion about this and other issues by publishing timely briefs. It is easy to set these complicated issues aside, to leave them for someone else to figure out, to assume someone else is going to be able to figure them out. But it is important to remember that we all are affected by the health of our community. If you have doubts, just think about why emergency room waits are so long. One reason is that many uninsured are forced to use emergency rooms because they can't afford any other options. And think about why your hospital bills are higher. One reason--a local hospital estimates uncompensated care for the uninsured adds about $1,700 to an insured patient's average bill. The care of all of our residents is a concern for us all. As I said earlier, it is time to tune in. Joan Ruffier |
ArchivesApril 2008Winter Park Health Foundation Awards $300,000 for Health Improvement Projects March 2008Regional Approach to Cutting Childhood Obesity Gets Attention Healthy Communities Initiative Receives 18 Proposals for WPHF Support January 2008Third Annual Fast Start Invitational Draws 600 Plus Kids December 2007Healthy Communities Initiative Draws About 100 Ideas Winter Park Health Foundation Elects Three New Trustees November 2007August 2007Winter Park Health Foundation Adds New Trustee: Matt Davies Diana Silvey Joins WPHF as Program Director June 2007ITNOrlando Gets Funding Boost From The Winter Park Health Foundation WPHF Grants Provide Emergency Protection for Winter Park April 2007Community Leaders’ Lunch Draws 120 Plus March 2007Florida Health Policy Center Publishes Its First Brief—WPHF is a Founding Member December 2006Winter Park Health Foundation Elects Officers and Adds Two Trustees WPHF Releases Issue Brief : Florida Volunteers: The Driving Force for Senior Mobility November 2006Access Work Group Provides Grant to Improve Birth Outcomes September 2006Six Florida Foundations Study Possible Health Policy Institute Medicare Education Efforts a Success August 2006Winter Park Health Foundation Funding of School-Based Health Care Services Exceeds $9 Million New Wellness Policies Establish HSTs Throughout Orange County June 2006Citizens’ Health Care Working Group Releases Interim Recommendations May 2006Certificate of Need Policy Brief Mobility Forum Draws Key Speakers March 2006February 2006Consumer Concerns Aired Medicare Education Program Serves as National Model December 2005November 2005Winter Park Health Foundation WPHF Pledges $1 Million for UCF Medical School October 2005Florida on the Move’s Obesity Summit Draws a Capacity Crowd September 2005New Policy Brief Released: Understanding Florida’s Medicaid Waiver Application Local Foundation Provides Hurricane Relief Funds to Red Cross July 2005Back to School Health Fair Hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation June 2005New Policy Brief Released: Understanding Florida’s Medicaid Reform Legislation May 2005Central Florida Named as One of Five National Sites for New Older Adults Transportation Program March 2005January 2005Winter Park Health Foundation Contributes $3 Million to Launch Hospital's Building Campaign December 2004Health Care Issues Rank High on the Minds of Florida Voters November 2004July 2004New Florida Medicaid Policy Brief Helps Set Stage for July 12 Medicaid Reform Symposium Medicaid Reform Conference draws 300 Floridians Central Florida Community Health Assessment Now Underway June 2004Local Leaders Head for Obesity Summit May 2004Local Leaders Get Chance to Walk in the Shoes of the Uninsured New Legislation May Help Small Business Woes Jack La Lanne to Help Launch Vital Living 2004: Focus on Fitness April 2004Policy Brief Outlines Potential Implications of Medicaid Waivers Celebration of Change Event Honors Students for Healthy Life Changes February 2004Y Night: Prescription for Fun and Fitness for Teens January 2004November 2003 |
Home | About Us | Focus Areas | Research & Publications | Contact Us |
|
