Florida had the largest enrollment in the federal Health Insurance Market Place of any state in November, according enrollment statistics from the Health and Human Services Department.



Despite Florida’s lawmakers digging in their heels to prevent Floridians from accessing affordable health care through the Affordable Care Act, residents clearly need coverage. 1199SEIU caregivers at one of Florida’s largest nursing home chain are among the millions of Floridians who are offered expensive health care plans through their employers but opt out of coverage because they cannot afford it.



“I used to put off going to the doctor because the deductible was so high,” explained Marie Cadet, a CNA at Franco Health and Rehabilitation Center in Miami. “I didn’t have the money to pay $2,000 each year.”



When workers were told during negotiations with the nursing home chain that their out of pocket costs for health insurance would increase, the bargaining team weighed their options and convinced their employer to let them enroll through the Health Insurance Marketplace.



The company agreed and just days after 1199sEIU members ratified their union contract in mid-November, members began organizing their coworkers to sign up for informational sessions in order to enroll with healthcare navigators working with our healthcare coalition partners across the state.



“Now with the new insurance, I only have to pay $900 a year out of pocket,” said Cadet. “I’m not going to be as scared to go to the doctor if I get sick. It feels good.”



So far, more than 150 nursing home caregivers have signed up for health insurance through the federal marketplace. Over the next week, many more are scheduled to meet with health care navigators and use the new health care reform law to make a difference for those needing it the most.