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Census shows 3.7 million Floridians without health insurance

By Lynn Hatter

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-990082.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – The U.S. Census Bureau has released state figures on the numbers of uninsured Americans and Florida is near the top of the list. Lynn Hatter reports according to the latest numbers available, more than a quarter of Floridians are uninsured.

Florida has the second-highest uninsured population in the United States. More than 3.7-million Floridians don't have health insurance. The results are based on2009 census numbers, the latest data available.

State Economist Rebecca Rust says the figure is a reflection of a nation-wide economic downturn that has hit Florida hard. The state's unemployment rate is 10.7-percent and includes people who lost their health insurance along with their job. Rust also says the state's tourism and service sectors employ many part-time workers who often don't qualify for benefits.

The county with the highest uninsured population is Hendry County, where almost a third of residents don't have health insurance. St. Johns County had the lowest rate of uninsured at 17.2 percent.