Jeff Johnson, State Director, AARP Florida
Stations, the following is a news announcement. Suggested lead in 3, 2, 1…
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The Florida Legislature will soon decide whether the state will expand the Medicaid program to provide health insurance coverage to about 900,000 uninsured Floridians, including as many as 260,000 Floridians fifty and older, as part of the national health care law.
Jeff Johnson, state director of the organization, says health coverage can literally be a lifesaver.
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THOUSANDS OF FLORIDIANS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS OR ARE STRUGGLING IN JOBS THAT OFFER NO COVERAGE. AND AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ANY OF US COULD BE ONE PINK SLIP AWAY FROM LOSING HEALTH COVERAGE. MANY OF THOSE WHO WOULD RECEIVE COVERAGE ARE FLORIDIANS AGE 50 TO 64 WHO LOST JOBS, INCOME OR HEALTH COVERAGE IN THE FINANCIAL CARNAGE OF THE GREAT RECESSION. FLORIDA UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, STATISTICS SHOW THAT OLDER WORKERS ARE BEING HIT HARDER BY THESE TOUGH TIMES.
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Floridians can call 1-888-222-4121 to discuss Medicaid expansion with their legislator. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/fl.