Medicaid Eligibility for Medical Assistance and Related Services: Extends Medicaid eligibility for specified low-income adults.

Why I Filed This Bill (by Representative Joseph): Expanding Medicaid would provide health insurance to 800,000 – 1 million Floridians. This bill ensures that low-income individuals earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level have access to life-saving care. Expanding Medicaid would also bring in $4 billion in new federal funding annually while freeing up state resources for other priorities. Currently, many Floridians are trapped in a coverage gap, earning too much for state Medicaid but too little for Affordable Care Act subsidies. 65% of these individuals are working-class families who deserve comprehensive healthcare to stay healthy and continue providing for their loved ones. Additionally, Florida would receive a $4 million federal match to further support uninsured residents, a significant contribution to the state budget that could help reduce the uninsured population even further. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy, and far too many Floridians delay care due to cost, worsening health outcomes, and increasing long-term expenses. Expanding Medicaid is both fiscally responsible and morally necessary because everyone deserves access to affordable healthcare.