Lakeland, FL – Polk County has the first and third busiest emergency rooms in the state of Florida and there are over 100,000 people without insurance or insufficient insurance coverage. In March of 2004, PEACE and other allies worked hard to get a ½ cent sales tax referendum passed that would increase funds for indigent healthcare. It initially had a very slim chance of passing but, with the diligent work by PEACE leaders and other allies, it passed with 62% of the vote. The tax brings in about 30 million dollars a year and provided over 364,845 services in 2014.
