Senate Democratic Leader Gary Farmer (D-Lighthouse Point) issued the following statement on the announcement of a new Seminole Compact agreement:
“On behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus, the news of a new agreement with the Seminole Tribe is very welcome. We hope that the expected influx of $2.5 billion over the next five years as a result of the compact will go a long way in advancing the priorities of the people of Florida, especially with respect to healthcare.
“The combination of this additional revenue and the $10.23 billion provided to us by President Biden through the American Rescue Plan Act leaves the legislature with no excuse to not finally provide quality and affordable healthcare to the over 1.5 million Floridians who would be eligible for benefits under Medicaid expansion. I fully expect Medicaid expansion to be included as a part of the call for a special session next month, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to finally make this much needed program a reality.”
