Florida House Democrats yesterday introduced legislation aimed to better the living situations of Floridians in an attempt to address the pressing concerns Floridians have. The scope of Special Session can be expanded to address other issues as needed. The two House Bills introduced were HB 15B – Insurance and HB 17B – Eligibility for Medical Assistance and Related Services.
HB 15B attempts to make property insurance more affordable by lowering the cost of reinsurance, stabilizing the insurance market to give Floridians strong, competitive options that keep costs down, and ensuring insurance companies and the government are accountable to the people by creating the Property Insurance Commission.
HB 17B simply expands access to Florida’s Medicaid program so Floridians who were previously ineligible are deemed eligible and can obtain the health care services they need, potentially providing health care coverage to an estimated 800,000 Floridians.
“The resulting party line vote to refuse to expand the scope of Special Session was disheartening, but not surprising. We had yet another opportunity to deliver for Floridians and our Republican counterparts, yet again, decided these issues were not as pressing as the governor’s culture wars,” said Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). “Our Caucus wholeheartedly believes every Floridian deserves the freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe. In order to be healthy, Floridians need access to health care and that can be done by expanding Medicaid eligibility. To be prosperous and safe, Floridians deserve ‘Triple A’ property insurance – insurance that is available, affordable, and accountable – especially as we continue to face natural disasters.”
