Floridians Decide Healthcare, a coalition of groups in support of expanding Medicaid coverage, is partnering with Youth Action Fund and People Power of Florida to host a canvass and phone bank Wednesday evening for Medicaid expansion, which they’re trying to get onto the 2026 statewide ballot.
Florida is one of just 10 states nationwide that hasn’t already expanded Medicaid, even though the federal government — not the state — would shoulder the bulk of the cost.
The issue is deeply personal for the more than 1 million Floridians who are caught in what’s known as the Medicaid “coverage gap,” meaning they make too much to qualify for public health insurance through Medicaid, but don’t make enough to qualify for federal insurance subsidies or afford private insurance.
“As it stands right now in the state of Florida, if you’re a single mother of two and you make $1 more than $7,128 a year, you cannot get on Medicaid,” said Mitch Emerson, executive director of Florida Decides Healthcare.
Medicaid is a public health insurance program that has for 60 years served as a safety net for low-income Americans, including adults with disabilities and children. Forty-one states, including D.C., have already expanded Medicaid coverage as permitted under the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
“If you’re a single mother of two and you make $1 more than $7,128 a year, you cannot get on Medicaid.”
Seven states, including red states like Utah and Oklahoma, did so directly through the ballot initiative process — that is, through the will of voters, not politicians.
As the Trump administration and the Republican Party approve spending changes that could kick millions of people off Medicaid and cause ACA marketplace insurance rates to skyrocket, advocates in Florida are kicking up the fight to expand healthcare coverage to even more people.
Florida currently has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, and Emerson says there’s concern that with new tax changes at the federal level, that rate could double — resulting in a nearly 20 percent uninsured rate — come Jan. 1, 2026.
“This isn’t just about knocking on doors and making calls. It’s about connecting with neighbors and sharing why Medicaid expansion matters, and giving people a chance to take action,” said Emerson. “It’s fun, social, and it’s one of the most direct ways to make a real impact right now.”
How to join:
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What: Canvass or phone bank for Medicaid expansion in Florida
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When: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5-7 p.m.
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Where: RSVP here to get the location (Orlando)
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Learn more: Find future opportunities to volunteer here
Organizers need at least to gather at least 880,062 verified petitions from Floridians in support in order for the measure to qualify for ballot placement next year. However, they’re shooting to collect more than a million.
Floridians Decide Healthcare first kicked off their effort to get Medicaid expansion on the 2026 ballot last February and have collected more than 200,000 petitions so far. They’ve faced hurdles since, however — such as a new state law championed by Florida Republicans that aims to make it harder for advocates to get citizen-led initiatives onto the ballot.
Florida’s state constitution already makes it difficult for such initiatives to pass, requiring at least 60 percent support from voters. Even so, advocates in support of Medicaid expansion believe it — like a $15 minimum wage in Florida — is a winnable issue.
“It’s one of the most direct ways to make a real impact right now”
“Honestly, this is an incredibly popular issue so far,” said Emerson, who’s based out of Orlando himself. “When we talk to folks, it’s not really a lot of ‘lean against.’ It’s just giving them basic information.”
Currently, the Affordable Care Act allows states to expand Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level. That’s equal to about $21,600 annually for an individual in 2025, or $36,777 for a family of three.
The federal government finances 90 percent of the cost, leaving states to make up the remaining 10 percent. Under a 2012 Supreme Court ruling, Medicaid expansion for states under the ACA is optional, although most have since opted in.
As of June 2024, more than 20 million Americans have been enrolled in health insurance through Medicaid expansion, according to KFF. The health policy nonprofit has highlighted evidence that Medicaid expansion has been linked to improved health incomes, lower mortality rates for many chronic conditions, and increased healthcare affordability.
Emerson said that, in Florida, Medicaid expansion would help protect and create jobs in the healthcare sector, keep doctors in-state, and help prevent hospitals that rely on Medicaid dollars from closing (an outcome particularly important in rural areas).
Everyone is welcome to join the Wednesday canvass and phone bank in Orlando, he added, even if you’ve never participated in anything like it before. “Whether you’ve been organizing for years or this is your first time organizing, we’ll train you to talk to volunteers, equip you with all of the materials you need and make sure you feel ready,” said Emerson. “We welcome anyone who wants to lend a hand.”
If you’re canvassing, you’ll want to bring a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes. If you’d prefer to stay indoors, phone banking (i.e., making calls) is also an option.
Lastly, if you can’t make it tonight, this won’t be your last chance to get involved. You can find more volunteer opportunities and learn more about the Florida Decides Healthcare campaign at floridadecideshealthcare.org.
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This article appears in Aug 13-18, 2025.
