Healthcare experts say residents of north central florida should pay attention to the healthcare debate that itensified right here in Florida this week. A federal judge sided with 26 states, arguing the provision requiring people to buy health insurance is unconstitutional. Attorney General Pam Bondi says that makes the entire health care law illegal.
According to the US Census released in August of 2009, Florida has close to 4 million uninsured, about 120 thousand of that 4 million are here in north central Florida.
Chief Operations Officer of Well Florida Council in Alachua County, Jeff Feller, says the issue isn't something that deserves immediate attention but that the uninsured should take note of what could happen in the future.
The Obama administration will likely challenge the ruling in a federal appeals court. The final decision of where people will be expected to buy health insurance by 2014 will likely be made by the US Supreme Court.