New Brief on Florida Medicaid

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The Florida Philanthropic Network (FPN) Health Affinity Group and Georgetown University Health Policy Institute released an issue brief outlining the impact of Florida’s decision not to expand its Medicaid program at a briefing for Florida legislators, their staff and stakeholders in Tallahassee on February 19. And the conversation will continue on a statewide webinar scheduled for noon on March 13.

It is expected the debate over whether Florida should accept federal funding to expand its Medicaid program will be revisited by the Florida legislature in its upcoming session beginning March 3.

The WPHF, which has supported a series of educational briefs focused on proposed changes to Florida’s Medicaid program in recent years, joined the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Health Foundation of South Florida in providing funding for this brief.

It marks the first time members of FPN’s Health Affinity Group have collaborated on providing education to decision-makers related to an issue the funders agree is important to the health of the citizens of Florida.

“FPN’s Health Funders Group is pleased to present this luncheon briefing to help cut through the complexity and present the most salient facts and data about the Medicaid expansion issue and its implications for Florida”, said David Biemesderfer, President of FPN. The briefing was presented by Joan Alker from Georgetown University, who is a national expert on Medicaid and has spent eight years studying Florida’s Medicaid program.

“It is rare that an issue of this magnitude is before decision-makers with enormous consequences for Florida’s low-and moderate-income families, hospitals around the state and the health care system more generally, as well as the state’s budget,” said Ms. Alker. “The Medicaid program is a complex one, and misinformation abounds. The need for thoughtful, data-driven discussion cannot be underestimated.”

FPN is a statewide association of nearly 110 grant makers working to build philanthropy to build a better Florida. FPN’s Health Affinity Group, of which WPHF is a member, is comprised of FPN members who share an interest in supporting health issues, organizations and needs in Florida.

The Georgetown University Health Policy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan policy and research center founded in 2005 with a mission to expand and improve health coverage for America’s children and families.