Health Care in Bay County – A Crisis Waiting to Happen

This isn’t just a problem for a few people. With Bay County’s population on the rise, more and more families are finding themselves stuck in this medical limbo. And the impact is devastating. What happens when you or your child has a pressing medical need and you can’t get in to see a doctor? Do you wait it out and hope for the best? Or do you turn to the emergency room, racking up a bill that could have been avoided with a simple primary care visit?

This brings us to the affordability of health care, which is another nightmare of its own. Even with insurance, the cost of medical services in Bay County is skyrocketing. Out-of-pocket expenses for routine checkups, medications, or follow-ups are hitting families hard—especially those without comprehensive coverage. And for the uninsured or underinsured, the situation is nothing short of catastrophic.

Let’s not forget mental health, another area where Bay County is struggling mightily. With the increase in anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, you’d think there would be an abundance of resources to help those in need. Think again. There are precious few mental health professionals available, and most of them are stretched too thin to take on new patients. The lack of mental health care is particularly dangerous, as it leaves vulnerable individuals without the support they need to cope with life’s challenges. Families are left scrambling, often traveling hours outside the county just to find a specialist who will see them. The emotional and financial toll this takes is profound.

And while all this is happening, the situation is far worse for our most vulnerable—low-income families who rely on Medicaid. The number of practices accepting Medicaid is shockingly small. We’re talking about a tiny handful of providers who are trying to accommodate thousands of people. For those who are lucky enough to get Medicaid, finding a doctor who will actually accept it is nearly impossible. The limited number of doctors willing to work with Medicaid patients means that low-income families are left with fewer and fewer options for care. And when you consider that these families are often the ones who need care the most, it becomes painfully clear how dire the situation is.

This impacts everyone, but particularly low-income families who are already struggling just to make ends meet. They can’t afford private insurance. They can’t afford to pay for medical services out-of-pocket. They rely on Medicaid and the few providers who accept it. When they can’t find a doctor, or when they have to wait months for an appointment, their health deteriorates. Conditions that could have been treated early become serious, requiring emergency care or hospitalization—both of which are far more expensive and stressful.

So, what are we doing about this? Why are we allowing the people of Bay County to suffer without adequate health care? Our local leaders need to take this issue seriously, now. We can’t keep turning a blind eye to the fact that our health care system is buckling under the weight of a growing population. It’s time for action—whether that means incentivizing doctors to move here, increasing the number of Medicaid providers, or expanding access to mental health services.

Let’s be clear: government has a role to play in ensuring health care access, and it can’t afford to sit this one out. The first step is addressing the glaring shortage of health care providers. Federal and state governments could offer incentives—such as tax breaks, loan forgiveness, or even direct subsidies—to encourage doctors and other medical professionals to practice in underserved areas like Bay County. We’re seeing this work in other states, where similar programs have successfully attracted more providers to rural or underserved communities. Why not here?

Additionally, local leaders must advocate for expanded Medicaid programs that incentivize more doctors to accept it. Right now, too many Medicaid recipients are left with nowhere to turn. The government can play a key role in making Medicaid more attractive to doctors by reducing administrative burdens or increasing reimbursement rates for services. This would allow more providers to afford accepting Medicaid patients without compromising their practice’s financial stability.

Expanding telemedicine options with government support is another must. The state could allocate funding to improve broadband infrastructure in rural areas or provide grants to clinics adopting telemedicine technologies. By doing so, residents in more remote parts of the county could consult with doctors virtually, reducing the strain on local providers and cutting down the long wait times that many residents experience.

But relying on government alone to fix health care access isn’t going to cut it. The power of the free market and community-driven innovation is essential to solving this crisis. Take, for example, the growing popularity of direct primary care (DPC) models. These membership-based clinics charge patients a flat monthly or annual fee for unlimited access to their doctors. This eliminates the need for insurance middlemen and offers a more direct relationship between patients and their providers. DPC clinics could flourish in Bay County, providing affordable, accessible care while reducing the number of people flooding emergency rooms for non-emergency issues.

Telemedicine, while supported by government investment, can also be harnessed by the private sector. Local businesses could offer affordable telehealth packages to employees as part of their benefits. Instead of long wait times at a physical doctor’s office, workers could access immediate care through virtual appointments, reducing strain on the local health care infrastructure. Employers benefit from a healthier, more productive workforce, while employees get timely care without exorbitant costs.

Mental health services are perhaps the most neglected aspect of Bay County’s health care crisis. Government funding alone won’t solve this problem, but community-driven initiatives can help fill in the gaps. Peer support networks, for instance, have proven effective in other communities. Local residents with mental health experience can lead low-cost support groups, offering crucial help to those who can’t access professional services due to long waits or cost barriers. This is a solution that doesn’t rely on waiting for more professionals—it empowers the community to support each other in real-time.

Nonprofit organizations and local businesses can also collaborate to fund mental health outreach programs. For example, churches, civic groups, and even large employers in the area could pool resources to offer mental health workshops or subsidized therapy sessions, making mental health care more accessible without overwhelming the few professionals available. This kind of localized, community-based approach offers immediate relief for those who might otherwise go untreated.

One of the most promising paths forward lies in public-private partnerships. Instead of waiting for the government or the market to act in isolation, we should be encouraging partnerships between local governments, private businesses, and health care providers to solve this problem together. Imagine a local clinic partnering with Bay County’s government to offer subsidized health services for low-income residents, funded partially by public money and partially through private investments. Or envision local businesses working with the state to create employer-based health care solutions that offer affordable, comprehensive coverage to employees without placing the full burden on any one party.

We’ve seen this work in other sectors. Public-private partnerships have been a successful model for improving infrastructure and education; why not apply the same principles to health care? These partnerships can create sustainable solutions where government assistance and private innovation work hand in hand.

At the end of the day, Bay County’s health care access crisis is too big for any one solution. We need a balanced approach that harnesses the power of both government action and free market solutions. The government must step up with incentives for doctors, Medicaid reforms, and investment in telemedicine infrastructure, but that’s just the beginning. Free market innovation, like direct primary care and telehealth options, combined with community-driven mental health initiatives, can offer immediate relief while laying the groundwork for long-term success.

Bay County is at a turning point. The question is: will we act now to secure our health care future, or will we let the system buckle under the weight of our growing population? By combining smart government policy with free market ingenuity and community-driven action, we can make sure that no one in Bay County is left without the care they need. The power to create a better, healthier future is in our hands. Let’s make it happen.

Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor