Florida lawmakers have debated for a decade whether to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Advocates are trying to circumvent legislature and take the issue directly to voters.
Only 10 states have not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Florida is one of them. Advocates say that leaves more than a million people in a loophole, earning too much money to qualify for Medicaid and too little for federal insurance subsidies. Now, as Regan McCarthy of member station WFSU reports, people are working around the Republican-controlled legislature to bring the issue to voters with a proposed state constitutional amendment.
MCCARTHY: He has insurance because of his disability, but his mom doesn't. She says she stays awake at night, worrying about what would happen to JJ if she got sick and couldn't afford to go to the doctor. A HOLMES: It would have been cheaper for me to fly back to Britain and get checked out over there than to go to a doctor here.
MCCARTHY: Recently, North Carolina and South Dakota expanded Medicaid. In Florida, expansion has been a debate for more than a decade. This year Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said it's a nonstarter.KATHLEEN PASSIDOMO: Medicaid expansion is not going to happen in Florida.
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