All,
We need your SUPPORT before Wednesday April 7 for Amendment 925637 to HB 5201 (the House Appropriations health care bill). This amendment, which was filed late Friday by Democratic Representative Geller, would expand Medicaid coverage in the state of Florida. The current budget in HB 5201 calls for over $500 million in cuts to Medicaid.
The amendment will be heard on the House floor Wednesday when HB 5201 is debated, so we urgently need you to contact your individual Representatives to VOTE YES on the amendment for Medicaid expansion.
Here are some talking points about the importance of Medicaid expansion:
In Florida, to be eligible for Medicaid the most a family of 3 can earn and still qualify is about $7000 per year (30% of the Federal Poverty Level);
Adults with no children aren't eligible for Medicaid at all;
Over 600,000 Floridians have no access to affordable health insurance because they fall in the gap -- they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to qualify for Marketplace tax credits;
Florida has been one of a few states in the country that continues to reject Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for its citizens;
Under the ACA, states can expand their Medicaid programs to cover everyone earning under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level;
Medicaid expansion would be paid for by Florida's federal tax dollars that would be returned to the state; the federal share would never be less than 90% of the costs;
Florida would see net state budget savings of about $200 Million per year AND this year it would receive an additional $2.5-$3 Billion from the recently signed American Rescue Plan; therefore, cuts to Medicaid in the budget are UNNECESSARY!
Over 1 million low income Floridians would be covered by Medicaid expansion; and
Medicaid expansion would reduce the amount of uncompensated hospital care provided to the increased number of uninsured due to the pandemic.
Please contact your individual district House Representatives before Wednesday April 7 and urge a YES vote on Rep. Geller's Amendment 925637 to expand Medicaid in HB 5201. Here are the contact details for our Representatives in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties. Let them know you are a voting constituent! District 1:
Michelle.Salzman@myfloridahouse.gov (850) 717-5001
District 2: Alex.Andrade@myfloridahouse.gov (850) 717-5002
District 3: Jayer.Williamson@myfloridahouse.gov (850) 717-5003 Thank you, Jean Siebenaler Legislative Chair