Florida Democrats continue to push for Medicaid expansion

Yahoo

25-03-2025

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Amid fears of federal cuts, the battle continues at the statehouse as Florida Democrats continue to push the GOP super majority to consider expanding Medicaid.
For years state lawmakers have gone back and forth over concerns about Medicaid expansion and financing, with past senate leaders knocking down efforts to expand.
Man arrested for damaging Tampa Bay state senator's office: police
Back in 2024, then Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) shared in her opening remarks at the start of the legislative session that Medicaid expansion was not going to happen.
'We know that access to healthcare is important at every phase of life. Insurance, even Medicaid, does not guarantee access. I want to be clear, I am not going to spend the next 60 days relitigating Medicaid expansion,' Passidomo said. 'I understand the arguments both for and against. We've had the debate several times over the last decade, Medicaid expansion is not going to happen in Florida.'
One year later, Democrats are still demanding that conversation continues.
'If you're cheering on cutting Medicaid, you're cheering on losing money to help Floridians,' said Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-Orlando).
Democrats in D.C. and in the Sunshine State gathered at the capitol to warn Floridians of possible federal cuts to Medicaid, as well as call on fellow Republican lawmakers to consider expanding the program, citing its financial savings.
'We are literally leaving money on the table. $14 billion of our tax dollars that we would bring home to Florida if we were to expanded Medicaid. $4 billion annually in federal funds that would reduce our tax burden as Floridians. Even after meeting our matching obligations, we would still leave $200 million extra on top of it,' said Representative Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami).
Joseph is sponsoring HB 1507, which aims to expand Medicaid and provide health insurance to 800,000 to 1,000,000 Floridians.
News Channel 8 On Your Side followed up, asking Florida Democrats what their response is to Republicans who argue against expanding Medicaid, citing cost concerns and strains to the state budget.
'I would say that's fuzzy math, because I've looked into it as well and this is a line they've recited for many, many years,' said House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). 'But what we know is that there are programs that are in place in this state to try to cover folks who are in the gap. If we expand Medicaid, we would save resources by not having to pay for those programs and in effect draw more down in federal dollar then we would spend in tax dollars. '
Florida GOP leaders on capitol hill, however, say Democrats are spreading lies. Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-St. Petersburg) added that Republicans are not cutting Medicaid.
'We're not cutting anything. Are we stopping fraud, waste, and abuse? Yes. But are we cutting programs? No,' Luna said.
Struggling to navigate Florida's health care system, Clearwater resident Andrea Dumala shared her fears for Floridians who are stuck in the Medicaid coverage gap.
'Right now, we are enslaved by the disabilities that we have. I know that I am with a traumatic brain and spinal cord surgery from a car accident,' Dumala said.
She's backing House Bill 1373, which allows working disabled Floridians in the gap to buy in to Medicaid.
'Passing this bill will give us a sense of normalcy that we don't typically have,' Dumala said.
Republican state leaders are also considering a Medicaid Oversight Workgroup to look over policy decisions.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.