The Challenge
As the Affordable Care Act is implemented in Florida in 2013, the Florida legislature had to choose if it would accept federal Medicaid dollars to expand affordable health care insurance to 1.2 million of the lowest income Floridians. Legislators questioned the value and affordability of accepting federal dollars and often had the notion that the individuals to be covered are not as deserving. Working with a broad coalition of health advocates, we had to organize communities to prove that hard working people deserved healthcare coverage.
The Approach
My analysis showed that engagement of legislators in their districts with impacted people along with a continued presence in Tallahassee at legislative committee meetings and office visits created political will to support Medicaid expansion. I organized a team that reached out to clergy and leaders in 60 member congregations of low income families in districts throughout the state. These congregations are 60% African American and Latino Baptist, Catholic, and non denominational. They asked for uninsured to tell their personal story. In some districts we met with key legislative leaders to share our stories. We successfully met with important legislators on House and Senate healthcare committees to build the relationship and communicate the value of expansion.
The best success story of my portion of the campaign of African American and Catholic churches to win support and leadership of State Senator Joe Negron to expand Medicaid. Senator Negron of St. Lucie County is Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a key player to advance Medicaid expansion.
The approach started with introductions and informational presentations churches in the heart of the predominantly African American and Latino community of Fort Pierce, the largest concentration of uninsured in St. Lucie County.
The organizing process from fall 0f 2012 to spring 2013 looked like this:
- Community members and church members from a diverse representation of St. Lucie County organize and meet with Senator Negron to support Medicaid expansion and present their case to St. Lucie County legislative delegation.
- St. Lucie clergy and leaders testify to legislative committees in Tallahassee and Negron recognizes their contribution.
Clergy from Ft. Pierce lead a state press conference at the Capitol before start of Lent proclaiming that there is “plenty” to feed the 10,000, especially if federal funds pay for the expansion and Negron introduces a bill to expand healthcare coverage to i.2 million uninsured using federal dollars. SB 1816, the Healthy Florida Program, is introduced in Senate Committees and bill passed unanimously in committee (17-0) and sent to the Senate.
How did my role make an important difference?
- Senator Negron held a key legislative position and getting support from his district gave him some assurance that he could lead getting a bill passed.
- A moral voice in Tallahassee makes a difference and helps legislators think about votes they make not just from a partisan position but also a decision about the right and wrong thing to do. This may what have brought about a unanimous vote in the last committee hearing.
- Relationship and perseverance along with public media support pay off. Our relationship with Senator Negron and other Senators built respect and trust. We were seen as people with integrity who could work both sides of the aisle. Our continued presence in the Treasure Coast and in Tallahassee proclaimed we are in the fight to stay and our power is to be respected.
The result
My efforts as the Executive Director of PICO United Florida and the team along with the broader coalition did the following:
While the House did not pass this expansion bill using federal funds, the Senate was ready to pass the “Healthy Florida Act” and Governor Scott supported the Senate bill. The Senate action created political momentum to expand health care in the future. Had the Senate not considered this bill, the legislature would not be looking at any health care expansion legislation.
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