Issue Position: Healthcare

Issue Position

Joe understands that one of the greatest challenges working families have in Florida is the lack of access to affordable health care. Joe supports laws that help students to stay on their parent's health insurance until they're 26, end the right of insurance companies to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions and would support efforts to expand Medicaid coverage to Florida's neediest families.

Medicaid is the biggest component of Florida's budget and will only continue to increase in cost. Joe believes the best way to keep Medicaid costs manageable is by creating new, high-wage jobs that allow people to afford private insurance and providing strategic incentives to employers who offer affordable insurance to employees.

Joe supports requiring HMOs to use at least 85% of public dollars directly on patient care.

When elected, Joe will fight to strengthen Florida health insurance programs such as Kidcare that provides children with healthcare at minimal cost to low income families. An estimated 800,000 children remain uninsured in Florida, despite programs like KidCare. This is an untenable and immoral reality. Joe would work with leaders in Tallahassee and across Florida to find 21st century solutions to what may be our state's greatest challenge.

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