Medicaid expansion could help 200K Latinos in Florida, advocacy group says
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Dr. Martha Perez examines Maria Lebron in a room at the Community Health of South Florida, Doris Ison Health Center on February 21, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Florida Gov. Rick Scott reversed himself on February 20, and now is callling for an expansion of Medicaid to Florida residents under the federal Affordable Care Act. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2013 Getty Images)
Hispanic advocates say at least 200,000 Latinos could get health insurance if Florida lawmakers choose to expand Medicaid.
The National Council of La Raza says that many Hispanics have gained health coverage under President Obama's health law, but roughly 200,000 still fall into a gap where they make too little money to qualify for a subsidy in the federal marketplace, yet earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.
In total, health advocates estimate about 800,000 Floridians we be covered under Medicaid expansion.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates 1.3 million Hispanic Floridians lack health insurance. That's about one-third of the roughly 3.5 million uninsured people in Florida.