The symposium brought together health care providers, politicians, and business leaders to discuss the current problems facing uninsured Hispanics and suggest solutions. In Florida, Hispanics are more than twice as likely to be uninsured than the non-Hispanic white population, and nearly 50 percent greater than African Americans. The symposium highlighted the fact that in 1999 almost 20 percent of Florida's population was uninsured. Yet 8 out of 10 of those without insurance come from working families.
Individual insurance is prohibitively expensive.
Cultural and linguistic barriers exist both in interactions with physicians and the paperwork required for public assistance. Hispanics are concerned about being labeled a public charge if they use public assistance. Examine creative solutions from insurance companies such as offering more affordable packages that focus on preventive care. Train more Spanish-speaking physicians and encourage the use of translators at physician offices. Oppose federal health mandates that increase the costs of providing health care.