With approval of the Affordable Care Act at an all-time high, Republicans are pursuing a plan to take away 2.2 million Floridians' health care, and Florida's Governor, Rick Scott, is actively courting President Trump in Washington to turn over management of the nation's healthcare to the states through Medicaid block grants. As members of Florida’s House echo that same sentiment in a new bill, healthcare advocates are sounding the alarm about this latest twist in the battle over our access to quality, affordable care.
To highlight what's at stake, nurses, doctors, health advocates and patients will rally with the Save My Care Bus Tour, a two-month, cross-country tour focused on telling the stories of the more than 30 million Americans who will lose their health care under Congress’ dangerous repeal plan. So far, the bus has held more than 30 rallies in 15 states and traveled more than 7,000 miles telling the stories of the millions of Americans who stand to lose their health care.
WHAT: Save My Care Bus Tour Highlights Health Care Impacts in Florida
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 2, 11am
WHERE: SEIU Local 1991, 1601 NW 8th Ave. (directly east of Jackson Memorial Hospital)
WHO: Save My Care bus, nurses, doctors, consumers, health advocates sharing personal stories and statistics about the specific impacts in Florida
Consumers and advocates flooded town halls across the country during last week's Congressional recess and tracked down representatives. In Florida, more than 2.2 million Floridians could lose their health care if the ACA is repealed by Congress. Republicans at the state and federal level are attempting to cut a deal to pay for some aspects of their new plan by effectively gutting Medicaid. through block grants and per capita caps. If that happens, it would impact Medicaid coverage for 3.6 million Floridians.
"Every day it becomes more clear that most people want to keep the Affordable Care Act because they recognize that killing it is a huge step backward for everyone's health," said Martha Baker, RN, president of SEIU Local 1991, which represents nurses, doctors and other professionals at Jackson Health System, the state's largest public hospital. "If a deal is cut to pay for a bad plan to replace the ACA by reducing coverage to seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans, then our elected officials are moving in the wrong direction and our most vulnerable citizens will bear the brunt."
The downside of Medicaid Block Grants is that they cap coverage, which means limiting eligibility, establishing waiting lists and cutting reimbursements to healthcare providers. Providers, communities and beneficiaries would be facing impossible choices in just a few years, when the impact of the cuts and capped funding are fully felt.
Advocates from Save My Care, Progress Florida, Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast, Organizing for Action, Latina Institute, SEIU Local 1991, SEIU Florida, Florida Consumer Health Alliance, and For Our Future will listen to remarks from local doctors, elected officials, and patients who have benefited from the ACA who will share their stories and call on Congressional Republicans to protect access to quality affordable health care.
"The destabilization of Florida’s health safety net threatens to overturn significant progress made for millions of Floridians finally able to afford quality healthcare and will ultimately cost the state’s taxpayers more down the road," said Katy Huddlestun, an attorney with Florida Legal Services.
Photo Credit: Joe Raedle Getty Images
Edit: NR