Friday, May 24, 2013

NAACP endorses health care sales tax increase proposal

The Manatee County NAACP is endorsing a proposed increase in the sales tax to pay for indigent health, complete with an invocation of Jesus' name.

Here's the press release, issued late Thursday:

(For) several months residents of Manatee County have been inundated with facts and falsehoods regarding approval or disapproval of the one-half cent sales tax referendum.  While politics has entered the fray of these discussions, the Manatee County Branch NAACP believes the basic civil rights of every citizen of Manatee County is to have access to health care regardless of their socio-economic status.  The membership of the NAACP supports the one-half cent increase and encourage voters to vote “YES” for the one-half cent sales tax increase on June 18, 2013, or during early voting hours June 8th through June 15th at the Supervisor of Elections Office. The office is located at 600 301 Blvd West, Suite 118 (across from DeSoto Square Mall). The hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 PM. 
Since the sale of Manatee Memorial Hospital in 1984, the County expanded medical payments to other healthcare providers in Manatee County along with the reduction of interest rates, etc., which caused an increased financial burden, obligation to cover the cost of indigent health care.  While the sale of Manatee Memorial Hospital produced a fund dedicated to providing health care for poor people, officials want the sales tax increase before funds run out in 2015.  Some have questioned why the increase now instead of during the 2012 election cycle, which would have been more cost effective.  Here again, politics played a role in postponing due to possible ramifications of  election or re-election with a proposed tax increase.  One could also argue that this sales tax increase would not be required if the Florida Legislators and Governor Scott would have accepted the federal funds ($51M) to expand medicaid. Citizens cannot allow the politics of the situation to determine the need or responsibility to provide health care coverage to indigent, underinsured or uninsured residents in Manatee County.  The NAACP has been assured that the funds collected from the one-half cent sales tax will go into a special fund to cover health care costs ONLY. 
Please join the Manatee County NAACP and its members by voting “YES” on this critical issue. “..Jesus said when you do for the least of these, you’ve done it unto me....” 
Susie Copeland, President
Manatee County NAACP



8 comments:

  1. "The NAACP has been assured that the funds collected from the one-half cent sales tax will go into a special fund to cover health care costs ONLY." Wow, that is quite different than what the PAC Healthy Manatee has promised; and it is quite different than what is being advertised by the County Commission.

    So what is the truth - or is the truth a fleeting element based on which vote is being sought?

    I think the truth lies closer to what Ms. Copeland stated at the beginning of this press release, that the public is "inundated with facts and falsehoods regarding... the one-half cent sales tax referendum"... emphasis on falsehoods.

    Perhaps we the plan and purpose should be provided in writing. These "promises" keep changing

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  2. the truth is never ever vote for a tax increase because the blood suckers wont stop there they will never be happy until they get 100% OF YOUR MONEY

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  3. Yeah so which one is it supporters? Which one of the lies and falsehoods is true about this tax? No one knows and thus you are foolish to put your name and organizations name on a letter backing a tax that even the creators of said tax will not confirm or deny where any of this money will end up.How can one group of supporters spend large sums of cash stating the tax will lower property taxes and yet you state the money will only pay for indigent care?

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  4. Misinformation on the part of the NAACP... Not all of the sales tax will be used for indigent care... The BOCC has NOT said exactly where all the extra collected taxes are going to go...PLUS they plan on adding numerous "fees" to utility company's, including our own Manatee County Utilities as well as FP&L & your local cable TV franchisee...Thus the reason that so many of us ave saying VOTE NO ON JUNE 18th...Be informed ...

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  5. You need to get your healthcare from Obama, not off the backs of the citizens of Manatee county. Vote NO on this tax.

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  6. Of course they endorse it, would you expect otherwise???

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  7. glad to see the 47%ers weighed in

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  8. There is no need for this. Obamacare is supposed to provide free healthcare for all, remember?!?! I, for one, am tired of paying multiple government agencies to perform identical services. WASTE!! And, no more taxes!!!!

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