IN THIS EDITION of Central Florida Health News, various organizations and medical experts talk about ways the community is working together to help residents understand the nuances of navigating their health insurance plans. In addition, this issue also features information on how the under-insured and the uninsured can get assistance finding affordable healthcare coverage. While the Affordable Care Act and the subsidies through it have enabled more than 1.6 million Floridians to gain health insurance, there are still some residents who fall into what is being called the “coverage gap.” To read more about this gap, I recommend reading the patient feature found herein.
In addition to this very informative update, take special note of the Medical Advice column by Dr. Ulyee Choe, a PCMA member. I’d like to congratulate Dr. Choe, as he has recently accepted a new position as director of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County. We wish him the best, and we know that he will serve our neighbors in Pinellas County well!
On a side note, we’d like you to mark your calendars and RSVP for an event you don’t want to miss. Our Fifth Annual Casino Night fundraiser is coming up Saturday, October 24. The event will be hosted by Fields Motorcars Mercedes Benz, 4141 North Florida Avenue in Lakeland. Entertainment for the evening will include casino table games (played with fake currency, of course), as well as a silent auction, music, food, drinks, and more! The proceeds from this event go directly toward We Care of Polk County and the Polk County Medical Foundation. For more information about tickets or how you could become a partnering sponsor, please call Jackie Courtney in our office at (863) 644-4051.
Sincerely,
Arvind B. Soni, MD
Director of Radiation Oncology
St. Joseph’s Hospital, BayCare Health System
President, Polk County Medical Association