Manatee health advocate presents plan to insure low-income residents
Fusco is a member of the
Since January of this year, when the advisory board formed with the mission of coming up with a cost-effective plan for caring for the county's uninsured, indigent population, Fusco has brought his years of experience into the board's once-a-month discussions.
During the board's 10th meeting, which was Wednesday night, Fusco presented an idea that won praise from many of his colleagues.
The "Fusco Plan" calls for helping members of Manatee's uninsured and indigent population who do have some income to sign up for the
Although he said the monthly rates may vary as to income and individual situations, they could be as little as
"What happens with the health care exchange is that they adjust your premium rate based upon your income," Fusco said after the meeting. "It could be that people down around 105 percent of poverty level would have their premiums around
People on those plans receive care in hospitals because they have insurance, Fusco said.
"For a very low cost you, could assure they would be covered, and it wouldn't come from the county," Fusco said. "My suggestion would be that you would set up a 501c3 (nonprofit entity) that would accept donations to support this population, and they would see these people and assist them."
Maybe even local hospitals could contribute to the plan, Fusco hinted.
"It's beneficial, as I see it, to the high-cost providers like the hospitals, because if they end up in the hospital, the hospital will be able to bill," Fusco said.
Board member
"What you are saying is that for people who are at 100 to 150 percent of the federal poverty line, the most effective way of helping them could be to pay for their Silver premiums, or a similar plan in the marketplace at about
Board members, who are likely to discuss Fusco's plan and other ideas at future meetings, are expected to attend an important
At that meeting, consultant
The work session is in the
Besides Fusco and Brown, the advisory board consists of
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