Author Archive

Special to The Gainesville Sun
By Lauren Vagelakos

On Saturday, open enrollment will begin for the second year of the Health Insurance Marketplace through the Affordable Care Act.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, over 200,000 more Floridians are projected to sign up for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace this year. As an informed consumer, there are a few important things to remember when it comes to your insurance coverage for you and your family as you prepare for Open Enrollment.

Even if you […]

Senior Times Magazine
by Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, PhD

As you know, “walk for your health” is now very common advice. Now studies are showing that just “standing up” provides huge health benefits.

If you take a minute to sit and think about it, you can quickly come to the conclusion that we live in a “Sit Down” society. Most of us sit down to eat, work, and socialize. Running errands? I bet you’re sitting in a car or on a bus to get around.

Here’s what science worldwide is […]

Gainesville Sun
By Christopher Curry

This year, the penalty rises to 2 percent of income, or $325 per person — whichever is higher. The household cap is $975. Next year, the penalty goes up again to between 2.5 percent of income or a $695-per-person fee for individuals. After that, it continues to rise based on inflation.

The penalty rises over time until it is roughly equal to the amount a person would pay to buy insurance.

Some businesses that do not purchase insurance for their employees also […]

The Guardian
Guest column by Lauren Vagelakos

On Saturday, open enrollment will begin for the second year of the Health Insurance Marketplace, commonly known as Obamacare.

For African-American communities, getting health coverage is especially important. In the United States, more than 20 percent of African Americans do not have health insurance. African Americans experience higher rates of certain health issues, such as high blood pressure, prostate cancer and glaucoma.

With affordable health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, residents are able to get coverage that provides them with the […]

Palatka Daily News
By Brandon D. Oliver

A state medical organization earlier this week released health and socioeconomic statistics comparing nearly 20 counties to state averages.

Putnam County was among Alachua, Bradford, Lake and 12 other counties that were in the study released by the WellFlorida Council.

The study reported that in Putnam, the average teen birth rate is more than two times higher than the state average, and the average number of emergency room visits in the county is higher than the state average.

The study, which can […]

The Guardian
By Christopher Curry

As the second year of Affordable Care Act enrollment nears, reaching the remaining uninsured might pose a significant problem.

Open enrollment begins Nov. 15 and runs through Feb. 15.

In Gainesville, federally funded navigators who assist people with understanding health care coverage options under the Affordable Care Act will begin working with the public Thursday at Library Partnership and regularly hold sessions at county libraries over the next few months.

Lauren Vagelakos, the project coordinator for the navigator program that the […]