Florida TaxWatch Explores Social Determinants of Health, Focuses on Health Care Access and Quality
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch released Social Determinants of Health: Health Care Access and Quality, the first economic commentary in a series that will explore what the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services refers to as social determinants of health, or environmental conditions, such as age and economic background, that impact the health of individuals. In this commentary, the taxpayer research institute focuses on health care access and quality.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “Health care is a critical component of Florida’s economy. Simply put, a healthy population allows for a healthy workforce, and a healthy workforce allows for a healthy economy. With that in mind, Florida TaxWatch believes it’s imperative for our leaders and policymakers to understand the various social determinants of health so they may build on innovative initiatives, like the Florida Senate’s recently enacted ‘Live Healthy’ legislation, that will address disparities in health care access and quality and ensure that, as the state continues to grow, it continues to succeed as well.”
According to Florida TaxWatch, cost is the most considerable contributor to health care inaccessibility. In fact, a 2019 survey of 1,200 Florida adults that found more than half (55 percent) experienced health care affordability burdens in the past year and more than three-quarters (78 percent) were worried about affording health care in the future. As of 2021, the state ranked 41st in the nation in terms of overall health care and health care access.
In particular, health care access is limited in Florida’s rural and low-income areas, as well as areas with dense populations of minority groups, where there are generally fewer health care facilities – a factor Florida TaxWatch notes is compounded by the existing physician shortage, cultural barriers, and more.
Another significant barrier to health care access, per Florida TaxWatch, is not having health insurance. In Florida, the rate of uninsured (11.2 percent in 2022) remains higher than the national average of eight percent, and in 2022, the state also ranked 46th in the nation in terms of uninsured population.
The economic impact of the uninsured is felt by the uninsured themselves, local emergency departments – where the uninsured will often seek health care – and the government. For instance, Florida TaxWatch cites that each year from 2015 to 2017, an estimated $42.4 billion was spent on provider uncompensated care costs associated with caring for the uninsured, and nearly 80 percent of that cost was compensated through public funding, amounting to nearly $102 billion across the three years.
Florida TaxWatch concludes by highlighting the group’s belief that every Floridian should be able to obtain essential and affordable healthcare services where and when they are needed. Moreover, making this a reality will depend, in large part, on the ability to decentralize the provision of health care in areas where access has been limited – by bringing health care to the patients instead of bringing the patients to health care – and to use advances in technology (e.g., artificial intelligence) to build a better-connected health care system.
To learn more and access the full commentary, please click here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, and the trusted “eyes and ears” of Florida taxpayers for more than 45 years, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the taxpayers it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.