The Florida Department for Children and Families (DCF) projects that as many as 1.75 million Floridians could lose Medicaid coverage as the unwinding of the Public Health Emergency takes place. In response, Florida legislators, local officials, and advocates are urgently calling on state leaders to strengthen the Medicaid program and close the coverage gap.
WHO: Speakers include –
- Florida State Representative Angie Nixon
- Alison Holmes, Mother and Seminole County resident
- JJ Holmes, iBudget Waitlist and Seminole County resident
- Karen Woodall, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy
WHAT: A press conference hosted by the Health Care for Florida coalition on the response to the PHE Unwind and the need to close the Medicaid coverage gap for Floridians.
WHEN: March 8, 2023 at 2 pm
WHERE and RSVP: Florida Capitol – 4th Floor Rotunda or click here to stream online.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, states were offered an increase in their matching funds for Medicaid in exchange for not disenrolling individuals from Medicaid. With this arrangement ending, Florida faces two critical challenges: effectively communicating with recipients and navigating the consequences of Florida’s extremely restrictive Medicaid eligibility limits. DCF officials reported that they have already identified about 900,000 cases of people who are no longer eligible for the state’s Medicaid program, due to changes in income, age, or other factors. DCF estimates there are another 850,000 Medicaid recipients who haven’t responded to requests for updated information and are at risk of losing coverage.
Wednesday’s event will feature stories from Floridians who are currently living in the coverage gap. We will also hear remarks from health care advocates and state legislators. Considering the size of the task ahead for DCF and community partners, the agency is urged to prioritize transparency and remain open to the feedback of partners on the ground. State legislators have a role to play in strengthening the safety net for those 900,000 Floridians who will lose Medicaid eligibility and the security of coverage.
