Summary
The number of uninsured Americans increased over 13% over the last four years for which data is available. Florida was one of eight states identified as having a “significant” increase in the percentage of uninsured; 22% of adults employed in Florida were uninsured (#4 in the United States) and 3.7 million Floridians lacked health insurance.The political environment is increasingly sensitive to the crisis of the uninsured in America. The lack of access and/or affordability of insurance has moved from a "them" issue to an "us" issue.
Analysis
The number of uninsured Americans increased over 13% over the last four years for which data is available. Nationally, 41% of uninsured adults were unable to see a doctor due to “ability to pay”. Florida was one of eight states identified as having a “significant” increase in the percentage of uninsured; 22% of adults employed in Florida were uninsured (#4 in the United States) and 3.7 million Floridians lacked health insurance.
The political environment is increasingly sensitive to the crisis of the uninsured in America. Political attention has waned and waxed through the years, with the most recent comprehensive push during the 1990’s when the Clinton Administration pushed for a national healthcare solution. In recent years the crisis has deepened as health insurance has become either not available or not affordable for millions of working Americans. In short, as the problem has become one that effects “us” (the middle class) as opposed to only affecting “them”, politicians have been more willing to push for a solution to a problem affecting their constituents.
