For 600,000 Floridians, this is personal

As I write this, nearly 600,000 hardworking Floridians are stuck in what’s called the “coverage gap.” These are friends and neighbors who don’t make enough money to qualify for subsidized health insurance through the Healthcare.gov marketplace, and make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.

As I write this, nearly 600,000 hardworking Floridians are stuck in what’s called the “coverage gap.” These are friends and neighbors who don’t make enough money to qualify for subsidized health insurance through the Healthcare.gov marketplace, and make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. They would qualify for Medicaid if not for Gov. Scott and his allies’ refusal to accept federal dollars to expand the program in Florida. Too often in the rancorous political debate, these Floridians left in the “coverage gap” are ignored, often with grave outcomes. We can change that, but we need your help.

If you or someone you know falls into Florida’s health care coverage gap, please take a few minutes to share your story today.

A central pillar of the Affordable Care Act is the expansion of Medicaid. For the previous three years, the Florida Legislature has debated expansion. Gov. Scott, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island) and House Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran (R-Lutz) all oppose it. Together, they blocked a bipartisan proposal supported by Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to expand health care coverage.

In a debate that regularly emphasizes lots of faceless numbers around coverage and cost, it’s easy to forget the reality of our friends and neighbors who are being left behind because of Gov. Scott and his allies’ extremist ideology. As we look forward to a new legislative session, it’s important we bring the stories of hardworking Floridians unnecessarily stuck in the coverage gap to light.

Personal stories are powerful. Share your story about how Florida’s coverage gap has affected you or someone you know.

Earlier this year, we came closer than ever to expanding Medicaid and closing the coverage gap. It’s because everyday Floridians are being joined by community leaders, business owners, people of faith, health care professionals and many others to call for expansion.

Let’s keep up our momentum and ensure the voices of our fellow Floridians are heard.