As the Zika virus spreads, Rick Scott, Florida's Governor refuses to allow the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. This is in spite of the fact that he is also recommending pregnant women talk to their doctors about prevention. He's not factoring in the number of people, including pregnant women, who fall into the no coverage gap between Medicaid and the Affordable Healthcare Act!
He's offered free testing for pregnant women at county health departments, but ignores the fact that as a patient who does not qualify for Medicaid or the AHA these women have no doctor because they cannot afford the medical intervention. To make bad matters worse, Florida's Republican's led the way to cuts in women's health programs!
According to the CDC, babies born to pregnant women with the Zika Virus develop a serious birth defect known as Microcephaly. Microcephaly causes the skull and brain to be smaller than that of a healthy baby. The associated conditions include seizures, hearing and vision problems, learning disabilities, and movement and balance difficulties.
Please join me in asking Gov. Scott to have mercy and compassion by expanding the Medicaid coverage for those who don't qualify for help through the Affordable Health Care Act!
Dear Governor Scott,
We (the undersigned) are dismayed to learn that not only has Florida cut women's health programs, the pregnant women caught in the gap between Medicaid and qualifying for insurance through the Affordable Health Care Act are without recourse for prevention and care should they contract the Zika Virus.
As mentioned in the petition, "according to the CDC, babies born to pregnant women with the Zika Virus develop a serious birth defect known as Microcephaly. Microcephaly causes the skull and brain to be smaller than that of a healthy baby. The associated conditions include seizures, hearing and vision problems, learning disabilities, and movement and balance difficulties."
We implore you to expand Medicaid coverage and help Florida's conquer the diabolical effects of Zika!
Sincerely,
