Health Care

HomeHealth Care

The mission of the Health Care Committee is to promote a health care system for Broward County that provides access to a basic level of quality health care for all its residents.

The Bottom Line

Thousands of Floridians have died prematurely because of the lack of Medicaid Expansion.

Florida is just 1 of 10 states that has not updated its Medicaid eligibility requirements since 2013; the time to expand Medicaid in Florida is now.

How To Get Involved

In order to get Medicaid Expansion on the ballot in 2026, we need 1 million petitions signed by Florida voters by the end of this year. Request your petition and get involved at https://linktr.ee/floridadecideshealthcare.

Medicaid Expansion is projected to benefit:

● 570,000 low income uninsured adults, leading to a 28% reduction in uninsured Floridians

● 91,350 uninsured parents with children at home, which will benefit the entire family as children are more likely to be insured and get preventative care when parents are covered

● 50,000 uninsured adult Floridians with disabilities who currently fall in the coverage gap.

● 393,000 adult Floridians with mental illness are currently uninsured; expansion would significantly increase treatment services for those with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and victims of the opioid epidemic

● 144,000 women, including 100,800 of reproductive age, who currently fall in the coverage gap

● 382,000 Florida workers in essential or front-line industries who currently fall in the coverage gap including 35,000 in food service, 24,000 in construction, and 9,000 in landscaping; workers would account for 67% of those who would benefit

● 108,800 veterans in Florida who are below the poverty level, as those with or without VA benefits would be eligible

● Floridians in rural areas who currently benefit by a larger percentage from Medicaid (17% compared to 11% metro) and likewise would benefit by a a larger share from expansion; Medicaid Expansion decreases the likelihood a rural hospital will close by 62%

Make a Donation, Make a Difference Pro Woman Pro Choice

Floridians were so close to passing Amendment 4, but women in Florida are still in the struggle to obtain reproductive health care.

The following organizations currently help women receive the natal health care they need:

Broward Women's Emergency Fund - Women who need help paying for abortion care in South Florida can find help at BWEF. They provide small grants to cover medical care. Contributions go directly to the women who need it.

Floridians for Reproductive Freedom - FRF advocates for convenient, affordable, and safe access to the full range of reproductive health care – from abortion to birth control.

The Brigid Alliance - A referral-based service that provides travel, food, lodging, child care, and other logistical support for women seeking abortions.

National Network of Abortion Funds - NNAF is a network of nearly 100 abortion funds, grassroots organizations that support people seeking abortion access. Women can search the list of funds, get tips for finding a clinic, and understand Medicaid coverage.

Elevated Access - This network of volunteer pilots transports patients atno cost to access the health care they need.

Contraceptive Access Committee: This committee discusses ways for Floridians to gain easier access to birth control. Contact: rroberts@prochoice.org

Morning-after pills are still available and can also be obtained in many stores and pharmacies, like Walgreens, CVS, Publix, and Target. They are also available by mail: https://www.nurx.com/emergencycontraception

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET MEDICARE EXPANSION ON THE 2026 BALLOT?

VOTE for representatives and senators who pledge to making Medicaid Expansion a priority.

PLEDGE to make Medicaid Expansion an election issue.

SPEAK UP! Use the LWV State Guide to Elected Officials to voice your concern.

ATTEND programs that will keep you informed of the current status of health care in Broward County.

USE Social Media to spread the word and get your friends and family involved.

CONTACT Joan Sternberg at joan.sternberg@gmail.com

MAKE A DONATION to http://bit.ly/FLDecidesHealthcare

Please do your part to fix Florida’s broken healthcare system,
Sign the petition yourself and encourage your friends, family, and other members of your community to do the same.

Links to download printable petitions:
English
Spanish
Creole

*All petitions must be filled out by voters who are registered in the State of Florida.
*Check to ensure that all information is filled out, and that the information is legible.
* Ripped, damaged, or illegible petitions are not accepted by the Supervisor of Elections.

Please mail completed petitions to:
Florida Decides Healthcare
Post Office Box 10829 Tallahassee, FL 32302
Contact campaign@floridadecideshealthcare.org with any questions