State Senate passes bill funding healthcare access, but still no Medicaid expansion

Share
injury lawsuit
By chatsimo via iStock for WMNF News.

Listen:

A package expanding healthcare access and resources passed in the State Senate Thursday. However, Medicaid expansion is still a no-go.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Colleen Burton, was passed unanimously in the full Senate.

“In my case, for everyday Floridians who talk to me about access, about the fact that they cannot get an appointment with a doctor that they’ve had a long-standing relationship with for many months now. Because they’re just aren’t enough of them.”

The bill puts funding towards filling medical residencies, maternal healthcare, and diverting patients in emergency rooms to more appropriate care.

However, the bill does not consider expanding Medicaid. Republican Senate President Kathleen Passidomo made her stance on that clear during the first day of the Legislative Session.

“Medicaid expansion is not going to happen in Florida.”

Florida is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid to cover more low-income Americans.

You may also like

Half of Florida households struggle to afford basics, United Way report reveals

Listen: A report from the United Way shows that almost...

Kelly Butterworth and Kevin Miklaski pose in WMNF's studio 1
Countdown Improv Festival on Art in Your Ear

Improv invades Ybor City in August. The Countdown Improv Fest has...

Bikes on Cross Bay Ferry. By Seán Kinane/WMNF News
Pinellas Sheriff’s Office implements new way to bolster pedestrian and bicyclist safety

Pinellas County initiative for pedestrian and bicyclist safety has been...

The Scoop: Fri. July 26th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF

The Rays trade a fan favorite player, Pinellas County discusses...

Ways to listen

WMNF is listener-supported. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station, and we're not part of a university.

Ways to support

WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin'.

Follow us on Instagram

Midnight Soul
Player position: