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HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-025 RESOLUTION NO. 21-025 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR CERTAIN QUALIFIED ADULTS UNDER THE AGE OF 65 IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF FLORIDIANS WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following determinations: 1. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners prides itself on the well- being of all of its residents. 2. Over 14,000 adults in St. Lucie County between the age of 19-64 with incomes below 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and are uninsured. 3. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides federal funding for states to expand Medicaid to all citizens with incomes less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level. 4. This Medicaid expansion would extend health insurance coverage to more than 800,000 Floridians. 5. According to the Florida Policy Institute, Florida would see a reduction in General Revenue expenditure of roughly $200 million in Fiscal Year 2022-23 by expanding the Medicaid program. 6. Our state decision to not expand Medicaid means that some of our poorest citizens — especially adults without children with incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level —will go without health insurance coverage. 7. In light of COVID-19 and for public health purposes, it is necessary that Floridians who are most in need have access to health insurance. 8. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners believes all residents should have access to quality, affordable health coverage. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners do hereby urge the Florida legislature and the Governor to accept federal funds to expand Medicaid in Florida. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the members of the state legislative delegation, Governor Ron DeSantis and newly elected Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. This resolution shall take effect upon adoption. After motion and second, the vote on this resolution was as follows: Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, Chair AYE Commissioner Sean Mitchell, Vice Chair AYE Commissioner Linda Bartz AYE Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson AYE Commissioner Cathy Townsend AYE PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 2nd day of February 2021. ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COU 19A BY: DEPUTY CHAIR 591ONtb. s x .�. * APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND ,�/ CORRECTNESS. * if; / 0 c. COUNTY A 'O' EY 3T.LUG