Rep. Lawson Urged Gov. DeSantis Expand Florida's Medicaid Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 -- Rep. Al Lawson, D-Florida, issued the following news release:

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05), along with members of Florida's congressional delegation, urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to expand Florida's Medicaid program during the pandemic. By doing so, more than 850,000 additional Floridians would gain health care coverage, economic security and better health outcomes.

"Leaving Floridians without health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic, with billions of federal dollars available to help pay for it, is simply heartless," Rep. Lawson said. "I have seen firsthand the impact that COVID-19 has had our citizens and believe that the time to act is now."

"Florida's failure to expand Medicaid has already cost the state at least $66 billion, a number that is increasing rapidly during this public health crisis," Lawson added. "It is time we remove all the barriers, and provide Floridians with the health care coverage they need."

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia have already expanded Medicaid, allowing millions of Americans to gain insurance coverage. Florida is one of only 12 states that has yet to expand their program.

The letter was signed by Reps. Lawson (FL-05), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Val B. Demings (FL-10), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Stephanie Murphy (FL-7), Darren Soto (FL-9), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24),