The pandemic has brought home the importance of health insurance coverage in this country.
For many Americans who have gotten ill from the virus, it has actually created new preexisting conditions. Most Americans now say they support the Affordable Care Act and coverage for preexisting conditions, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is considering another legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act, and at least five of the justices said Tuesday they would reject attempts to kill it. This, as enrollment is underway now to get people covered under the ACA.
Josh Peck, co-founder of Get America Covered; and Darnell Smith, Market President at Florida Blue joined us for a closer look.
Related; Local, State, and National Coronavirus Coverage
Veterans Day
Wednesday is Veterans Day, so we are spotlighting programs geared to help our large local veteran community all week long. One of them is Veterans Treatment Court, a local drug treatment court for First Coast vets. Judge Mose Floyd, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and head of the Veteran Treatment Court, shared some details with us.
Recognizing More First Coast Veterans
We also recognized a couple of local veterans, U.S. Navy Veteran Robert Lentz and U.S. Air Force World War Two Veteran Paul Malnove. Both men have similar backstories during their time serving and met this week to discuss their journeys.
What’s Good Wednesdays
Our look at what’s good this week included:
- The Jacksonville-based GoRuck, in collaboration with Live to Give, is behind the Nominate a Veteran campaign in partnership with three other veteran-backed brands, including Combat Flip Flops, Soldier Socks and Chive Charities.
- The Fair Food Fest will kick off this Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 6 pm both days. Admission is $10.
- Kudos to Shannon Nazworth, President & CEO of Ability Housing. Nazworth has been selected as Multifamily Executive Magazine’s “Executive of the Year” for 2020. She's a super-productive executive who finds decent housing for hundreds of local families across the First Coast.
- Wildflower Healthcare Clinic is the only free medical and dental clinic for uninsured adults in St. Johns county. This year they’re celebrating their 25th anniversary in the form of a virtual fundraiser. Check it out as they stream the fundraiser live from the St. Augustine Classic Car Museum on Thursday evening from 7-8 pm.
- Take time to “Stuff the Trunk” for breast cancer survivors this Saturday from 10am-4pm at the Sprouts Farmers Market at Beach & Kernan. This one-day-only food drive for breast cancer survivors and their families is sponsored by Pink Ribbon Travel.
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Patrick Cantin can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org.
