TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Mayor Andrew Gillum is proposing that voters decide on a change to the state constitution that will make affordable healthcare a "fundamental right of all Floridians."
In a written statement, his camp explained that Gillum proposed a constitutional amendment that would direct the Florida Legislature to "make securing Floridians' right to healthcare a priority."
Gillum has previously proposed other changes to protect groups that may be at-risk for losing access to affordable healthcare.
Last month, he proposed a bill that would protect Floridians with preexisting conditions.
He announced that in his first legislative session, he would work with legislators to draft, pass, and sign a bill that "creates the nation's strongest state protections for people with preexisting conditions."
On June 22, Gillum proposed law protections for Florida's women. Similar to his preexisting condition proposal, Gillum says that he will work with lawmakers to make sure:
- All health policies that cover prescriptions provide coverage for any FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drug or device.
- Insurers would be prohibited from imposing a co-pay, co-insurance, fees, or other costs for contraception.
- Qualified religious organizations (such as religious hospitals and universities) could request an exemption consistent with current federal law under the ACA.
- Employers would be required to notify their employees that they refuse to provide coverage for contraception.
- Mirroring the Obama Administration’s exemption rule, women covered by policies provided by institutions seeking exemptions would still have no-cost access to contraception, directly through their insurer.
"It's time for Florida to finally enshrine healthcare as a right for all. There is a public trust for the government to care for its citizens, and our state can no longer be ambiguous about that moral obligation. When healthcare is under attack in Washington, we're going to lean into the challenge of healthcare in the Sunshine State and live our values," said Mayor Andrew Gillum.
The draft text of the proposed constitutional amendment reads as follows:
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
The following language shall be added to Article I of the Florida Constitution:
Affordable health care is a fundamental right of all Floridians. In weighing priorities and allocating available resources, the Legislature shall afford the highest consideration to securing this right.
BALLOT SUMMARY
Adds a new section to Article I of the Florida Constitution. Declares that affordable health care is a fundamental right of all Floridians. Directs the Legislature, in weighing priorities and allocating available resources, to afford the highest consideration to securing the right.
Are YOU in favor of Gillum's proposal? Why or why not?
