Tuesday on “First Coast Connect” we discussed what changes may be in store for the Affordable Care Act under the Trump administration. We were joined by Pat Geraghty, CEO of Guidewell and Florida Blue, and Dr. Alan Harmon, past president of the Florida Medical Association and Duval County Medical Association and member of the American Medical Association's Council on Medical Service.
I’m a Star Foundation Executive Director and Former Duval County School Board Chair Betty Burney joined the show with local students Jasmine and Jaquez Butler to talk about the upcoming Let’s Move Jacksonville event. Bright Holidays CEO Mike Shreve spoke about the mission to buy necessities for the less fortunate during the holiday season.
And director Rodney Holmes and star Regina Torres talked about the upcoming Players by the Sea production of “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge.”
Trump and the ACA
It was one of the hallmarks of Donald Trump's campaign - a promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a legislative milestone of President Barack Obama's administration.
President-elect Trump recently vowed again to repeal the ACA within the first 100 days of his administration.
But although Trump’s administration could make aspects of the ACA difficult for those trying to enroll, some experts believe a full legislative repeal, requiring 60 Senate votes, is unlikely. Geraty and Harmon spoke about problems in the current legislation and what needs to be included if a replacement is approved.
Let’s Move Jacksonville
Their goal is to make Jacksonville the healthiest city in the nation.
Students in the city’s I’m A Star Foundation are hosting their sixth annual Let’s Move Jacksonville event Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Jacksonville Baseball Grounds.
This all-day festival will mirror First Lady Michelle Obama’s movement to end childhood obesity.
Kids and their families are invited to participate in fun ways to create new habits for healthy eating and fitness.
Activities include relay races, football, and basketball games, plus contests in air guitar, Michael Jackson dance impersonation, and healthy cooking.
$1000 will be awarded to the organization that brings the largest crowd.
Bright Holidays
Since its founding in 2006, Bright Holidays has raised more than $600,000 to provide clothes, books and other items for needy youth.
Bright Holidays operates on a seasonal basis, relying solely on volunteers, and it operates with no fixed expenses. Nearly 100 percent of donations go directly to benefit disadvantaged children and families on the First Coast.
Mrs. Cratchit
If you thought you knew “A Christmas Carol” like the back of your hand, think again! Gladys Cratchit (Mrs. Bob Cratchit) is harsh, binge-drinking, suicidal and completely over being Mommy Dearest.
When the Ghost of Christmases Past, Present and Future keep bringing Scrooge and his seasonal Tourette’s Syndrome to the Cratchits’ pathetic home, cheerless mayhem ensues!
“Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge” opens Friday, Dec. 2, at Players By the Sea in Jacksonville Beach.
Producer Kevin Meerschaert can be reached at kmeerschaert@wjct.org, 904-358-6334 or on Twitter at @KMeerschaertJax.
