Health Care
Access to affordable healthcare is a critical issue for our citizens. Unfortunately the cost of health insurance is rising, putting health insurance out of reach for many Floridians. Today, an estimated 3 million Floridians do not have health insurance and instead must rely on our emergency rooms for health care, placing an undue burden on our health care system and all of Florida’s citizens.
Medicaid Reform
All eyes are on Florida as one of the first states to attempt Medicaid reform. The Florida legislature met in Special Session in December 2005 to authorize the implementation of a federal waiver which will pilot in Duval and Broward counties, shifting much of the health care burden for our neediest citizens to HMOs. Although the waiver initially applies to just two counties, Rep. Ausley opposed this approach because of the statewide impact of this reform. She is primarily concerned that the level of care remains the same or better, and that Florida does not lose federal dollars that currently support Florida’s Medicaid program. As a member of the General Health Care committee, she will be watching these reform efforts closely.
Florida KidCare
Florida has an excellent program that provides health insurance for the children of working and middle class families. The program, Florida KidCare, offers insurance to families that cannot otherwise obtain insurance for their children, and includes a significant contribution from the federal government. Every participating family pays a monthly premium which helps to provide the preventive care to keep their kids healthy.
While the 2004 legislature made significant changes to this program limiting access to Florida families, the 2005 legislature revisited some of these changes to increase the availability and access to health insurance for Florida’s children. Rep. Ausley continues to support full funding for the Florida KidCare program.