Guest AuthorFor too long, politics have guided our state’s direction on the expansion of health care coverage. The economic benefits of using federal funds to cover approximately 1 million more Floridians have largely been brushed aside.
It’s time we start looking at what the expansion of health care coverage means for the people of Florida, the businesses that drive our economy and our state.
As a business owner, one of the most important ways I take care of my employees is to ensure they have access to affordable health care. We pay for 77 percent of my employees’ health care costs, but it’s getting tougher every day to do that. And, I know a lot of business owners who wish they could offer any sort of health benefits, but simply can’t afford it.
Right now, Florida is leaving $50 billion in federal funding on the table. That’s approximately $15 million a day that can be used to provide health care coverage for 1 million low-wage, working Floridians. It means more than 100,000 new jobs. And, these are not just health care jobs, but jobs for Floridians in the education, construction, transportation and other industries. State government will also save billions of dollars in general revenue. Business owners will save $253 million a year in federal financial penalties and save even more on the “hidden tax” built into health insurance premiums, which covers the cost of uncompensated care.
From my perspective, it shouldn’t be hard to embrace the idea of using federal money when you truly understand all the benefits. Businesses across the state and the business-led coalition, A Healthy Florida Works, are all calling for Florida to take the federal dollars.
Other states with Republican-led governors and legislatures are already implementing coverage plans. Florida tax dollars have already paid for this. Accepting the federal money means Florida tax dollars come back to our state and, more importantly, working Floridians gain coverage.
Some lawmakers have said they don’t like the federal plan. It’s not too late for Florida to craft a solution that works for us. Very soon, our coalition will propose a Florida-specific plan to meet our state’s needs. It’s time to put politics aside and do what’s right for our state.
Kim Williams is President of Marpan Supply and Marpan Recycling in Tallahassee. He is also a member of A Healthy Florida Works, a coalition of Florida businesses, chambers of commerce, business associations and community leaders who support the extension of health care coverage in Florida. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
