By Alabama Public Radio
Richmond, VA – Southern Governors voiced concern for Florida and for their colleague, Governor Jeb Bush, Sunday, as a third hurricane threatens the state. The Southern Governors Association offered prayers for Floridians at the Association's conference yesterday in Virginia. Hurricane Ivan is heading for a possible brush with the Gulf Coast. Florida is still struggling to recover from hurricanes Charley and Frances. Bush skipped the conference to remain in his state. Governor Riley says Alabama remains on high alert because of Ivan.
Meanwhile...geriatrics experts told the Southern Governors that the region will feel more pressure as aging Baby Boomers retire and place additional burdens on the states' health care systems. Experts say the Southern states will especially feel the pinch because they've become havens for retirees. They also say almost one-fifth of the residents in the South don't have health insurance. While the Governors agreed that rationed health care is NOT the answer...some suggested that people who live healthy lifestyles should be able to pay lower premiums than people who don't.