In his July 22 column, Joshua Simmons illogically reasoned that low enrollment numbers in the CHOICES program could only mean that the program is "exactly the wrong model of health care" for Alachua County's working poor. What Mr. Simmons has failed to consider is that low enrollment numbers may be a symptom of other problems, such as citizens simply being unaware of the program. Many social programs take a few years to get off the ground. This seems to be the case with CHOICES.
For example, County Commissioners Cynthia Chestnut and Paula DeLaney, along with many of those involved with administering the CHOICES program, have stated that low enrollment numbers could be partly attributed to a lack of awareness. This belief is corroborated by the fact that CHOICES experienced a surge in enrollment following a television campaign last year. More advertising campaigns are in the works.
CHOICES is only four years old and is admittedly a work in progress, but it is an excellent program designed to address many of the problems associated with lack of insurance for lower-income citizens.
CHOICES improves access to primary care, reduces strains on local emergency rooms and improves the health of the local population.
Before we completely scrap the program, maybe we should take a deep breath and see what we can do to fix the glitches and improve implementation. You don't total a car because it has a flat tire.
Krysten Rosen
4LS
