Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Every community has people with health problems, why does it seem worse here?
Escambia County's investment in health care is well below that of other counties our size. In fact, Escambia ranks 66th out of 67 counties in terms of per capita spending on health and human services.

2. How many people in the county are uninsured?
MGT of America conducted a study in 2005, after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, that found 62,000 people in Escambia are uninsured. That means one out of every five people is without health insurance. In 2007, the number of uninsured residents has surpassed 66,000.

3. Why don't people get a job so they will have health insurance?
Most of the people who are without health insurance have jobs. In fact, more than four out of five people without health insurance are from working families.

4. I have health care through my employer. Why should this issue concern me?
The number of people without health insurance drives up costs for everyone. Right now, about $220 of your yearly premium for health insurance goes to covering the cost of people without insurance. If nothing is done, it is estimated that this number will rise to approximately $600 by 2013.

5. Why use a sales tax to fund a health care safety net for the working poor?
A sales tax spreads the cost to everyone, including people who are visiting or just passing through Escambia. It is estimated visitors will pay about 35% of the money.

6. How much will the half penny cost me?
The tax would amount to about $1 per week or $4 per month. That's $200 per year for a family of four - about the cost of a pizza a month per family.

7. If this passes, Escambia County will have one of the top sales tax rates in Florida, and we are also one of the poorest urban counties.
That's part of the challenge Escambia County faces. If we can reduce the impact of poverty by creating a healthier workforce, and remove the economic burden of soaring health care costs, we address a major problem in creating a better economy in Escambia. Remember, people who are not residents of Escambia County will pay 35% of the revenue generated. That's like buying the health care safety net we need at 35% off.

8. Won't people just drive across the county or state lines to make their purchases and not pay the half penny?
The half penny applies only to the first $5,000 of any purchase. That means someone buying an automobile will only pay an extra $25; an amount not likely to drive sales across county or state lines.

9. Property owners are faced with property tax increases, insurance premiums and higher gas prices. Can we afford a new tax on top of all that?
Quite simply, we can't afford not to. All insured residents of this county are already paying for this problem through increasing health insurance rates. Unless we can reverse the downward trend in our community health status, we are going to continue to slide further into poverty and face desperate choices about our future. The half penny is a very small investment that will yield a big return for our quality of life.

10. Will we pay the half penny on groceries and medicines?
No, groceries and medicines are exempt from the half penny.

11. What about the hospitals, can't they provide more charity care?
The hospitals already write-off tens of millions of dollars in uncollectible medical treatment each year. In the long run, this raises the cost of medical care for all of us. Additionally Baptist, Sacred Heart and the County are already partners in the Escambia Community Clinics. This program will provide basic preventive health care services to the uninsured.  The hospitals will continue to provide emergency and hospital care to those in need.

12. Is there any grant money available for this sort of thing?
Access Escambia has secured nearly $1.5 million in grant money, and we expect more in the future. This funding is helpful in creating an information system for tracking the uninsured and providing continuity of care. However, to get at the heart of the problem, we need ongoing funding at higher levels.

13. Will this cover everyone who is uninsured?
The program is designed to help county residents with annual incomes less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.  This is about half of the total number of uninsured residents.

14. Won't people move to Escambia County just to get health care?
The program will include a two-year residency requirement that will preclude anyone from simply moving here for low-cost insurance.

15. Why should some people get free health care while I have to pay for mine?
People are already receiving free health care. Part of that cost is absorbed by the hospitals and the rest is passed along to people who pay insurance premiums and co-pays. Our goal is to have everyone pay something, rather than a few pay for everything.

16. What will be covered under a county health plan?
An array of primary care, urgent care and outpatient diagnostic services (X-rays and labs) will be covered. The program will also offer chronic disease management, subsidized prescription medications and transportation services.  The goal is to provide primary care to people who are uninsured so they won't put off seeking medical care until their condition is worse and much more expensive to treat.

17. Will people have to pay something?
There will be a co-payment required for doctor visits.

18. How will we know if the money is being spent wisely?
A watchdog committee will be set up. It will be the committee's duty to report on the appropriate expenditure of all money generated from the half penny.