As Florida recovers from the pandemic, health care remains unaffordable for working, but low-income, Floridians. Nearly 800,000 uninsured Floridians are in the “coverage gap” meaning they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little for tax credits in the marketplace. Despite the opportunity to cover more people at a savings to the state, leaders continue to reject Medicaid expansion. In response, Democratic state legislators joined calls from advocates and impacted Floridians for access to affordable health care in Florida.
Senator Annette Taddeo and Representative Felicia Robinson filed companion bills (SJR 412 and HJR 239), which if passed, will allow Floridians to decide for themselves at the ballot box if Medicaid expansion is right for them.
“While the governor plays politics by refusing to expand Medicaid, Floridians are paying the price with a ‘hidden sick tax’ of $2,000 for every hospital stay to cover the cost of the uninsured,” said Senator Taddeo.
“I believe that the core of Medicaid Expansion is to provide essential health coverage within reach for individuals who would otherwise be unable to access it,” said Representative Robinson. “I support the expansion of Medicaid as it is the fiscally responsible thing to do. It increases financial security and creates opportunities for economic mobility that is beneficial to the state of Florida.”
In addition, Senator Taddeo partnered with Representative Geraldine Thompson who also filed companion bills (SB 1504 and HB 27). If passed, these bills aim to expand Medicaid eligibility in Florida.
“By expanding Medicaid eligibility, we are providing much needed healthcare to those that need it most,” said Senator Taddeo. “The less uninsured individuals we have, the better our State will be for it. It’s unfathomable for individuals with diabetes, for example, to risk bankruptcy over much needed insulin just because it’s incredibly unaffordable.”
“Many workers who earn low incomes lost their health coverage when they were furloughed, or lost their jobs during the pandemic,” said Representative Thompson. “If we expanded Medicaid, many of these workers would have been able to get the health care that they need and to be able to access primary care, rather than ending up in our emergency rooms. So it is important, based on our experience during the pandemic, that we expand Medicaid”.
This includes Floridians like Alison and JJ Holmes from Orange County, who will attend the press conference to share their experiences. With debilitating back and hip problems, Alison provides 24hr care for her son JJ, whose disabilities do not allow him to walk, talk, sit or feed himself. Alison is in the coverage gap and terrified her own health could fail before JJ gets off the Medicaid waitlist. The Holmes family has been waiting for these services for more than 14 years.
Medicaid expansion would reportedly save the state an estimated $200 million a year and the American Rescue Plan would send an additional $3 billion to Florida. Instead of taking this deal or debating the issue, the Florida House and Senate continue to leave low-income Floridians with no options for care.
