Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Social Determinants of Health: Social and Community Context, the fourth commentary in a five-part series that will explore […]
This research examines how social relationships and community dynamics profoundly influence individual health outcomes. The report reveals critical insights into the complex interactions between social support, community engagement, and personal well-being
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 2, 2026 CONTACT: Christina Johnson Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its report, Cost of Living in Florida: A Mid-Decade Check-In. These metrics clearly
Florida’s Behavioral Health Managing Entities (BHMEs) are at the heart of an innovative, community-based network delivering critical mental health and substance use services across the state. This report’s summary reveals how BHMEs efficiently coordinate a vast network of providers with minimal overhead—ensuring accessible, continuous care for vulnerable populations—while highlighting the risk that stagnant operational funding poses to their long-term sustainability. It ultimately recommends boosting operational funding from 3% to 5% to maintain the system’s effectiveness and guide future policy decisions.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tues., Feb. 25, 2025 CONTACT: Christina Johnson, christina@on3pr.com, 850.391.5040 Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Enhancing Lives, Ensuring Accountability: The Value of Florida’s Behavioral Health Managing Entities report,
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released The Consequences of a Census Undercount on Florida’s Healthcare Funding. Building on a July 2022 Florida TaxWatch commentary,
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Social Determinants of Health: Economic Stability the fifth and final commentary in a series that explored what the
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Social Determinants of Health: Neighborhood and Built Environment, the third commentary in a five-part series that will explore
Florida TaxWatch’s latest report looks into how neighborhood and built environment factors significantly affect community health. The analysis highlights the impact of poor housing conditions, overcrowding, and limited access to essential resources like healthcare and healthy food, which elevate the risk of chronic illnesses and mental health challenges. Unsafe neighborhoods and environmental hazards also disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The report underscores the need for strategic community investments to improve health outcomes and economic stability, advocating for healthier and safer environments that can lead to reduced healthcare costs.
This report examines the social determinants of health (SDOH), underscoring that environmental and social factors are the primary determinants of health outcomes. Significant barriers to healthcare access include high insurance costs and a large uninsured population, contributing to Florida’s low national ranking in healthcare access. Challenges are particularly acute in rural and low-income areas, with a notable dependence on emergency services by uninsured individuals, imposing considerable economic strains. To address these issues, the report suggests expanding Medicaid eligibility to enhance access and reduce costs, promoting telehealth to connect urban and rural communities, increasing autonomy for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to alleviate physician shortages, and implementing the “Live Healthy Agenda” to elevate healthcare quality and access throughout Florida. These recommendations aim to catalyze systemic changes for a healthier, economically stable state.
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