TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Amid fears of federal cuts, the battle continues on the statehouse as Florida Democrats proceed to push the GOP tremendous majority to think about increasing Medicaid.
For years state lawmakers have gone forwards and backwards over considerations about Medicaid growth and financing, with previous senate leaders pulling down efforts to develop.
Again in 2024, then Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) shared in her opening remarks at first of the legislative session that Medicaid growth was not going to occur.
“We all know that entry to healthcare is vital at each section of life. Insurance coverage, even Medicaid, doesn’t assure entry. I wish to be clear, I’m not going to spend the subsequent 60 days relitigating Medicaid growth,” Passidomo stated. “I perceive the arguments each for and in opposition to. We have had the controversy a number of instances over the past decade, Medicaid growth will not be going to occur in Florida.”
One yr later, Democrats are nonetheless demanding that dialog continues.
“When you’re cheering on slicing Medicaid, you are cheering on dropping cash to assist Floridians,” stated Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-Orlando).
Democrats in D.C. and within the Sunshine State gathered on the capitol to warn Floridians of potential federal cuts to Medicaid, in addition to name on fellow Republican lawmakers to think about increasing this system, citing its monetary financial savings.
“We are actually leaving cash on the desk. $14 billion of our tax {dollars} that we might carry residence to Florida if we had been to expanded Medicaid. $4 billion yearly in federal funds that would cut back our tax burden as Floridians. Even after assembly our matching obligations, we might nonetheless go away $200 million further on prime of it,” stated Consultant Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami).
Joseph is sponsoring HB 1507, which goals to develop Medicaid and supply medical insurance to 800,000 to 1,000,000 Floridians.
Information Channel 8 On Your Aspect adopted up, asking Florida Democrats what their response is to Republicans who argue in opposition to increasing Medicaid, citing price considerations and strains to the state funds.
“I might say that is fuzzy math, as a result of I’ve seemed into it as properly and this can be a line they’ve recited for a lot of, a few years,” stated Home Minority Chief Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). “However what we all know is that there are packages which can be in place on this state to attempt to cowl of us who’re within the hole. If we develop Medicaid, we might save assets by not having to pay for these packages and in impact draw extra down in federal greenback then we might spend in tax {dollars}. “
Florida GOP leaders on capitol hill, nevertheless, say Democrats are spreading lies. Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-St. Petersburg) added that Republicans should not slicing Medicaid.
“We’re not slicing something. Are we stopping fraud, waste, and abuse? Sure. However are we slicing packages? No,” Luna stated.
Struggling to navigate Florida’s well being care system, Clearwater resident Andrea Dumala shared her fears for Floridians who’re caught within the Medicaid protection hole.
“Proper now, we’re enslaved by the disabilities that we’ve got. I do know that I’m with a traumatic mind and spinal wire surgical procedure from a automobile accident,” Dumala stated.
She’s backing House Bill 1373, which permits working disabled Floridians within the hole to purchase in to Medicaid.
“Passing this invoice will give us a way of normalcy that we do not usually have,” Dumala stated.
Republican state leaders are additionally contemplating a Medicaid Oversight Workgroup to look over coverage selections.
