Health Reform in Florida

Health reform has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, there are differences between the Senate version of the bill and the House version of the bill. Both chambers will elect members to convene a conference to reconcile differences between the two versions of the bill. The new version of the bill that emerges from the conference must then be voted on again by each chamber. If the bill is approved by both chambers, the president may sign the final version turning it into law.

To answer how the bill will affect Floridians, the government web site, www.healthreform.gov has listed several elements from both bills that benefit individuals and families in Florida, such as:

• Insurance companies will no longer be able to place lifetime limits on the coverage they provide, use of annual limits will be restricted, and they will not be able to arbitrarily drop coverage.
• 10 percent of people in Florida have diabetes, and 28 percent have high blood pressure – two conditions that insurance companies could use as a reason to deny health insurance coverage. Reform will establish a high-risk pool to enable people who cannot get insurance today to find an affordable health plan.
• Roughly 565,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida hit the “doughnut hole,” or gap in Medicare Part D drug coverage that can cost some seniors an average of $4,080 per year. Reform legislation will provide a 50 percent discount for brand-name drugs in this coverage gap.
• Without reform, individuals and families in Florida will spend increasing amounts of money out-of-pocket to cover premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, from $19.4 billion today to up to $35.4 billion in 2019. Through health insurance reform, 2.5 million Florida residents could be eligible for premium credits to ease the burden of these high costs.
• Health insurance reform will create a new voluntary long-term care services insurance program, which will provide a cash benefit to help seniors and people with disabilities obtain services and supports that will enable them to remain in their homes and communities.

Since both versions of the bill have yet to be reconciled, some of these elements may increase or decrease.  To see the full list for Florida, visit the healthreform.gov site, here.

Below is a message about health reform from the Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius.

Medicaid Office Locator

Do you have questions about Medicaid in Florida such as:

• How do I apply for it?
• What's covered?
• Am I eligible?
• What's the status of application?

While some of these questions can be answered online, you may still feel the need to speak to someone about Florida Medicaid.  The Florida Agency on Health Care Administration has launched a web page HERE to assist people find their local Medicaid offices.  Once on the page, you can either select your county area by using the map of Florida or choosing the name of the county on the left hand side.  Either selection will bring up a new window with contact information of your local Medicaid office.

Prescription Drug Price Comparison Tool

The cost of medical prescriptions can be expensive. The Florida office of the Attorney General & the Agency for Health Care Administration have launched a website HERE, to help Florida citizens afford their medical prescriptions.  The site called, "Florida Drug Prescription Prices" over a series of pull-down menus which will allow to select the county, city, and prescriptions you're looking for.  After you've made your selections, a list will appear showing stores/pharmacies offering your prescription dosage.  The list is ordered by the cost of the prescription.

Also on the site, is public announcement with lists of $4.00 generic prescriptions offered at different pharmacies.  Those links are HERE and HERE.

Available on this blog (in the bottom right corner) are two lists with links to prescription drug discount programs.

Help With Medicare Assistance

Are you currently enrolled in Medicare and need some assistance?

The Social Security Administration may be able to assist you.  They offer a program to help individuals who enrolled in Medicare with their costs.  This program is not a replacement for enrolling in a Medicare Part D drug program.  If you're eligible, you can get extra help to pay for the monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to the Medicare Prescription Drug program. However, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Prescription Drug plan to get this extra help.

The guidelines for eligibility and the application are located HERE as well as contact information for any questions you may have.  To see if you're eligible, go HERE.

SafeLink Wireless - Free Cell Phones

Do you or a loved one have a medical condition that may require immediate medical assistance but don't possess a phone?  There may be a solution for you.

SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month to income eligible customers.

To Qualify:
The process to qualify depends on the State you live in. In general, you may qualify if...You already participate in another State or Federal assistance program such as Federal Public Housing Assistance, Food Stamps, and Medicaid.  Or your total household income is at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines set by your State and/or the Federal Government. And no one in your household currently receives service from another phone carrier. And you have a valid United States Postal Address. In order to receive your free phone you must live at a residence that can receive mail from the US Post Office. Sorry, but P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted.  In addition to meeting the guidelines above you will also be required to provide proof of your participation in an assistance program, or proof of your income level.

You can enroll online at www.safelink.com . To apply you will need your address and social security number. If you exceed the free airtime (68 minutes in Florida), you can purchase additional minutes.

SAFELINK WIRELESS® service is a U.S. government supported program for income eligible households provided by TracFone Wireless, Inc. TracFone Wireless is America’s largest and number one prepaid cell phone provider in the U.S.

Florida Kid Care - Income Eligibility

Are you eligible for Florida Kidcare, Medicaid, or Healthy Kids?  In order to make that determination, you first need to know where your family income falls in the poverty guidelines. See the 2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines below:

The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia

Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$10,830
2	14,570
3	18,310
4	22,050
5	25,790
6	29,530
7	33,270
8	37,010
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.

To read more information about the Federal 2009 Poverty guildlines, click HERE.  Also, if you need to view the income amounts at the varying percentages over 100% of poverty level, please click HERE.  The next step is to look at the Florida KidCare Eligibility chart.  Below is a brief summary:

• Children ages 0 through one, up to 200% of the federal poverty level, are covered under Medicaid (Title XIX and Title XXI funded)

• Children ages one through five, up to 133% of the federal poverty level, are covered under Medicaid (Title XIX funded)

• Children ages one through five, at 134% to 200% of the federal poverty level, are covered under MediKids (Title XXI funded)

• Children ages one through five, above 200% of the federal poverty level, are covered under MediKids full pay

• Children ages 5 through 18, up to 100% of the federal poverty level, are covered under Medicaid (Title XIX funded)

• Children ages 5 through 18, at 101% to 200% of the federal poverty level, are covered under Healthy Kids (Title XXI funded)

• Children ages 5 through 18, above 200% of the federal poverty level, are covered under Healthy Kids full pay

To learn more or apply for Florida KidCare, please click HERE to visit their web site.

Prescription Drug Help

Programs which assist with prescription drugs and/or other medical expenses.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance- http://www.pparx.org
Florida Rx Card- http://www.floridarxcard.com/index.php
Sunshine Rx- http://www.emsmed.com/sunshine
Florida Prescription Drug Prices http://myfloridarx.com
Publix offers a 14 day supply of many common oral antibiotics for free http://www.publix.com/freeantibiotics
Walmart offers many generic prescriptions for $4 for a 30 day supply and $10 for a 90 day supply- http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=546834
NeedyMeds-non-profit which helps people who cannot afford medicine or healthcare-
http://www.needymeds.org/index.shtml
Pasco County Good Samaritan Clinic- http://www.goodsamclinic.org

Medicaid Online Tutorial

The Pasco County Library System has launched a new tutorial to assist people who want to apply for Medicaid using the Access Florida web page, located here.  You can view the tutorial by clicking this link or going to the E-Government Tools Page here, selecting Tutorials, and then click on the image of the Medicaid video.  The E-Government Tools Page also contains a lot of other tutorials, videos, and government information.

Dental Coverage PHCC Dental Clinic

The primary purpose of the Pasco-Hernando Community College dental hygiene clinic is to educate dental hygiene students to become competent professionals in their field. At the clinic, dental hygiene students provide services to the public under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists. Reasonably priced clinic services are available to members of the public while the college is in session.

Services for the dental hygiene clinic are by appointment only. Clinic days vary by semester. Appointment times are 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Because students are evaluated at various times during the visit, please plan on a minimum of 2 1/2 - 3 hours per appointment. More than one visit may be needed for cleanings.

Fees for complete cleaning services are:

• $20.00 (age 11 and older)
• $10.00 (5-10 years old)

Other Services are available such as:

• oral examination
• X-rays
• cleaning and polishing
• fluoride treatment
• oral hygiene instruction
• sealants
• root planing
• ultrasonic scaling
• nutritional counseling

For more information call (727) 816-3281 or visit their web site:

http://phcc.edu/academics/health/dentalclinic.php

H1N1 Questions & Answers

Many people are concerned about the H1N1 virus.  Some of us may even know others who had contracted the disease.  The site USA.gov has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about H1N1 that may be able to assist you in getting the answers you need.  Go Here to view their site. This site has a robust frequently asked questions  (faqs) section about a wide variety of government services as well.

Public Health Departments

Do you know about the Public Health departments in Pasco County? If you live in Pasco County, click HERE to view maps of a location near you. While Public Health Departments do not replace a primary care provider they do provide some health services for free such as immunizations, smoking cessations programs and more. To learn more about services provided at your local health department.

For more information: (727) 861-5250 or go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdpasco/default.html

Florida Healthy Kids and Kid Care

Do you have a child or children without health insurance because of a change in your existing health care plan, the cost has become too expensive, or you no longer have health care insurance?  You are not alone.  The state of Florida has programs which may be able to help you provide insurance for your child or children.  There are eligibility requirements for the programs.  To learn more about the programs or to apply online, visit the links below:

Florida Kid Care
Florida Healthy Kids

Flu Shots in Pasco County

The Pasco County Health Department is giving seasonal flu shots.
Flu Shots will cost $25 payable by cash or check. With proof, Medicare clients will be given their shot for free and their insurance will be billed. For Medicare HMO and all other insurance there will be a $25 charge. Receipts will be given to file with insurance companies.
Shots will be given at these locations:
•Dade City Clinic, 13941 15th St., (352) 521-1450. Appointments are advised. Walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m. to noon Thursday
•Hudson Clinic, 11511 Denton Ave. (727) 861-5661. Shots are by appointment only.
•Land O' Lakes Clinic, 4135 Land O' Lakes Blvd., (813) 558-5173. Walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 7:30 to 10 a.m. Friday
•New Port Richey Clinic, 10841 Little Road, (727) 861-5260, ext. 268. Shots are by appointment only.
•Zephyrhills Clinic, 4717 Airport Road, (813) 780-0740. Walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Wednesday is recommended. Appointments can be made.
These shots do not prevent swine flu. For more information on the H1N1 Swine Flu call 877-352-3581 between 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.


Click here for H1N1 Flue (Swine Flu): Resources for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Help paying medical and other bills

Do you need help paying your utility and other bills?

To Learn about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program click here
or in Pasco County call: (352)567-0533 or (727)845-7350.

Also, check out the Pasco County Human Services website or call them at (727)834-3297 or (352)521-5173.

They provide assistance with:

*Dental Services are restricted to simple extractions

*Out-Patient Services

*Physicians office visits

*Laboratory and x-rays, when ordered by physician

*Limited payments toward past due rent

*Limited payments for past due utility bills (electricity, water, propane)

*Burial services for residents who have no insurance benefits or other means by which to pay for services

*Information and Referrals on available community resources
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program – This program assists residents 60 years of age and older, twice a year, with past due utility bills. Funding is through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.

*Assistance with prescription drugs, up to the established amounts, when ordered by a physician (Human Services does not provide psychotropic and/or habit forming medications.)


Remember to call 211 if you need referrals to other social service agencies.

Comment On The New High-Quality Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund Video

This video is in High-Quality. I hope you enjoy the difference.

Comment Now On New Chiles Foundation Video!

Watch our new video here

Bud Chiles On WFLA.FM Radio Show Talking About the Chiles Endowment Fund

Image via Wikipedia
You can listen to Bud Chiles here, on WFLA. He goes into detail as to why the Chiles family should have the right to speak out against how the money is spent, and other important details.

Go here and look on the right hand side for the Chiles Foundation Fund.

Wall Street Journal Reports On Lawton Chiles Foundation Fight

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeThe Wall Street Journal reported today on the state of the fight to save more than $600 million dollars for the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund.

The family of former Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles has assembled a team of lawyers to try to block state officials from dipping into an endowment named for the late politician to help close a projected $2.3 billion budget deficit.

The state House is expected to unveil a preliminary budget of roughly $66 billion Wednesday that would be balanced partly through spending cuts and borrowing from state trust funds. Those funds could include a loan of as much as $600 million from the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund, which was established in 1999 by the state legislature with a portion of the landmark tobacco settlement won in 1997 during Mr. Chiles's governorship. The fund's purpose is to support health care for poor children and seniors, smoking-cessation programs and biomedical research.

What do you think? Read the whole story here then come back and comment

Chiles Foundation Races Forward With Help From Apple's iTunes Podcasts

We are roaring ahead, updating our iTunes podcasts. You can click the icon above to get each one syched to your iPhone or iPod.

Enjoy and please rate us on iTunes and leave a comment. Thank you!

-Lawton

Help Save $600 Million For the Children of Florida-It Just Takes 60 Seconds

The Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund has a petition set up. All we need from you is about 60 seconds of your time. You can add your voice today and help us reach the masses.

Just click here!

You can also take action in these ways: (from CivicConcern.org)

Please act quickly, using the links below. The legislature is likely to make decisions on the budget within the next week. Legislators and the governor must hear from concerned citizens as soon as possible.

Sign the Petition

Join other Floridians in demanding that the legislature protect the Chiles Fund and the citizens it serves, and ask that they instead find more far-sighted options to address the budget crisis.

Sign the Petition
Ask Your Friends and Family to Sign Too

Encourage your friends and family to join you in building a better Florida. We can only make a difference if we raise our voices together. Ask your friends and family to sign the petition too.

Email Your Legislators

Use our simple tool to email your legislators and tell them your thoughts on this issue. Your elected officials need to know you're watching their actions in Tallahassee.

Email your legislators.

New Press & Media Coverage of Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund

Florida Courier
Our top 9 issues 2009
http://www.flcourier.com/news/articles/723/1/Our-top-9-issues-2009/Page1.html

The Fort Myers News-Press
Lee County delegation: Scissors will be used to tackle the state's $2.3 billion budget shortfall
http://www.news-press.com/article/20081229/NEWS01/812290346/-1/NEWS0103index.html

Jacksonville Business Journal
Florida health care funding at risk from Legislature
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/12/29/story4.html?b=1230526800^1753133

Lakeland Ledger
The Legder's 2009 Agenda for Progress
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090101/NEWS/901010339/1036?Title=The_Ledger_s_2009_Agenda_for_Progress

The Fort Myers News-Press
Crist studies budget chasm
http://news-press.com/article/20081224/NEWS0120/812240377

Tallahassee Democrat
Gov. Crist: Chiles fund will be repaid fast
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20081225/CAPITOLNEWS/812250317

The Villages Daily Sun
Crist offers plan to cut state deficit
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2008/12/27/news/news03.txt

Editorials

Palm Beach Post
Don't raid the Chiles fund
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/12/26/a20a_smoke_edit_1226.html

Palm Beach Post
Crist offers half a proposal to escape the budget crisis
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/12/29/a10a_leadedit_budget_1229.html

Tallahassee Democrat
Our opinion: Borrowing is yesterday's solution for budget blues
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20081228/OPINION01/812280305/1006/OPINION


Letters to the Editor

Orlando Sentinel
Don't forget family
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/orl-le24_408dec24,0,672775.story

Palm Beach Post
Stop-smoking kits sit as tobacco fund shrinks
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/12/27/saturdaywebletters_1227.html

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Recall why tobacco money is there
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081227/LETTERS/812270317/2113/BUSINESS?Title=Recall_why_tobacco_money_is_there

Chiles Foundation Reaches 160 Supporters On Facebook!

The Foundation is excited to announce that we have reached 160 supporters on Facebook. Thanks to you for all the people you have told, invited or urged to join. 

How You Can Help Today:

1. Invite 15 people to watch the YouTube video about the Foundation at the link here

-Talk soon,

Lawton