With the end of the legislative session drawing near in Florida, deciding whether to expand Medicaid to millions is a hot-button topic. In order for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to be the most effective, it is imperative that states accept federal money to expand Medicaid to those who would otherwise fall into a “Medicaid gap.”

Florida legislatures have refused to accept the funding so far. However, with the ACA enrollment period having started in October, coupled with the fast approaching January 1st deadline to make a decision, a legislative delegation meeting was called in Orange County Florida last Monday by Senator Geraldine Thompson to get the wheels turning.

Concerned members of the community packed the room, however some key players were nowhere to be found. Every single Republican member of the Orange County delegation failed to make an appearance, a move that prompted Sen. Thompson to point out their lack of concern over an issue that will negatively impact the lives of millions of Floridians. Their lack of attendance didn't surprise many, but that's a fundamental part of the problem. There is a lack of accountability of the party to answer to their constituencies and the general public.

The meeting began with a number of presentations that supported the need for Medicaid expansion from organizations like Florida Blue and the Florida Hospital Association. The presenters also detailed the number of different workers, parents, and childless adults who would become newly eligible for Medicaid. These figures include approximately 332,000 childless workers, 282,000 working parents, 49,000 disabled childless adults, and 85,000 childless adults between the ages of 19 and 25 just to name a few. Additionally, if Medicaid is not expanded, it was estimated that around 40,000 people would be denied healthcare coverage in January alone, and approximately 300,000 Floridians would be denied coverage by the end of 2014.

Other important information about Medicaid  expansion that was mentioned in the meeting included:

• Accepting the $51 billion in aid would create over 121,000 jobs.

• Because businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to provide affordable healthcare to their workers or face a penalty, employees who qualify for Medicaid (or an alternative) will not count towards an employer in terms of penalties.

• A majority of uninsured people in Florida are working (around 61%).

However, it was public testimony that expressed the more poignant points about the necessity for Medicaid expansion. Chester Frazier, a delegate of the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) expressed it best by stating “...People are literally dying and they're not accepting OUR federal tax dollars.” It's true. Florida state legislatures are gambling with our health by denying us money that we put into the system for public services like Medicaid.

It was clear that the audience in the room was in full support of expanding Medicaid. Those who were not in attendance at the meeting will need to face their constituency sooner than later. You can help by calling the senators and representatives in your area and demanding that they move to vote on accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid in Florida. If you live outside of Florida, you can also help put pressure on our legislators by calling them too!
http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/#Senators