Representative Perry Thurston, demanded that Rick Scott quit his pandering and push for Medicaid Expansion

 Photos  By Carol Porter

Representative Perry Thurston, Corey Shearer, President of the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus of Florida  joined local health care advocates in demanding that Rick Scott quit his pandering and actually push for Medicaid expansion.

Last Friday, Scott said in an interview that he “would not stand in the way” of accepting federal funds to expand the program. However, two days later during the special legislative session, Scott had the opportunity to push its passage and failed, yet again, to do so.

A new study released by the Urban Institute this month shows that Scott's inaction has cost Floridians over $66 billion dollars in federal funding and an additional $22 billion for Florida hospitals. That’s almost $90 billion that could have benefited the state of Florida.

The financial cost pales in comparison, however, to the thousands of Floridians who are literally dying because they do not the have health insurance coverage that they would have otherwise been eligible for under Medicaid Expansion.  

Thurston says the governor needs to accept the federal funds offered under Obamacare to insure millions of Floridians.

"The Governor would prefer us to ignore his hypocrisy and his inaction on health care. But we have a moral responsibility to remind him that helping his constituents is his job," said Corey Shearer, President of the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus. "If he’s not up for it, then maybe someone else is."

Rep. Perry Thurston & Cory Shearer