1 in 6 children without Florida health insurance

1 in 6 children without Florida health insurance

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1 in 6 children without Florida health insurance

Oct 31,2008



With nearly 800,000 children without health insurance, Florida has the second highest rate of uninsured kids in the nation, according to a national survey released Thursday in Washington.

Families USA, a nonpartisan healthcare consumer group, uses the latest census data to compare states. Its report found that one in six children in Florida -- 18.8 percent -- lack health coverage and the numbers continue to grow.

The report uses data from 2005 through 2007 and so does not include information from 2008, when economic conditions deteriorated.

"The number of uninsured children in Florida increased by nearly 78,000, or 10.9 percent, between the three-year period 2003-2005 and the three-year period 2005-2007, and is likely to continue to grow due to the financial crisis," Families USA said in a news release.

"The vast majority of uninsured children -- 87.8 percent -- come from families where at least one parent works, and nearly two-thirds of uninsured children -- or 71.4 percent -- live in households where at least one family member works full-time, year-round," the organization said.

Last year, Congress voted to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but it was vetoed by President Bush. The program is scheduled to expire on March 31.



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