That
ain't all... Kiss your hard-earned tax money goodbye, Floridians — again. The state has rejected almost $28 million in federal funds because they come courtesy of the Affordable Care Act — sneeringly referred to as “Obamacare” by many who oppose it , some on principle, and too many others who are simply playing politics — dangerous politics.
The money was supposed to help fund Healthy Start intervention programs, which have a track record of success for improving the quality of life for children and families at risk, keeping them safe, in good health and in pursuit of education and employment. The funding, part of a $31 million five-year grant, would have been put to work to reduce the number of premature and low-weight babies, keep students from dropping out of school and reduce the occurrence of child abuse and neglect.
As with so many social ills — and illnesses — money spent on prevention is a real bargain, and a wise investment. According to the Children’s Campaign, Florida pays between $28,000 and $40,000 to care for premature babies and $68,797 to shelter each abused child removed from home. As for dropouts, each one represents $260,000 in lost earnings, taxes and economic productivity to a community.
However, for every dollar invested in prevention and intervention programs, taxpayers save about $6 from reduced government spending for more expensive treatment or care. To say nothing of helping nurture educated and employed taxpayers instead of young thugs and teenage mothers.
Incredible...
The rejection comes on the heels of Gov. Rick Scott’s unilateral decision to refuse to take money to help the state create Medicaid exchanges, urgently needed by people who have fallen through the cracks of the healthcare system, uninsured. The Legislature needs to weigh in on that one. (And by the way, The Huffington Post reports that while the state turned back Healthy Start funds, it willingly accepted funding, yes, from “Obamacare,” to provide young students with abstinence education.)
