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Rural Healthcare in Our District [1]

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Date: 2022-07-01

As American citizens, we all assume that we are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, because of a glaring shortage of quality local healthcare, even the basic right to live is not a given for residents of Rural America. District 22 has the advantage of being home to the #1 hospital in the state - UF Shands in Gainesville - but the benefits of that distinction are limited by geography. Residents of Levy and Gilchrist Counties must travel, in most cases, over an hour to receive even the most basic medical care from doctors at Shands. And for rural residents who experience life-threatening emergencies, the long distances they must travel to the ER dramatically reduce their chances of survival. Reasonable people agree that in the wealthiest nation in human history, a pregnant mother in distress should not have to travel for over an hour to receive emergency obstetrical care. Rural residents are at a severe disadvantage because of their limited access to primary care, preventative screenings and healthcare specialists. As a resident of Levy County, I have experienced first-hand the challenges rural residents face in getting to the doctor. Even going to the lab to get blood drawn (something I have to do on Wednesday morning) requires folks like me and Stacey to block out half a day on our calendars and make sure we have enough gas in our vehicles to make the long drive. I am well aware that travel time and transportation are not the only obstacles for our rural friends and neighbors seeking healthcare. Some of my fellow residents also face economic barriers to obtaining basic health insurance, including Medicaid. Florida is one of 12 states in the country that has not expanded its Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. This is appalling, and it costs lives. To qualify for Medicaid, the poverty line for a single person household is $17,000 a year. This poverty line has not shifted to adjust for the rising costs of living in the Sunshine State. You can count on me to work with my colleagues in the Florida Legislature to find a solution to the current stalemate. The status quo is unacceptable. I am committed to expanding the Florida Medicaid program to cover all citizens age 19 to 65 who qualify financially under a fairer formula. When I am elected as your next representative, I will work with my local elected officials, business leaders and healthcare organizations to explore options that will bring affordable and accessible healthcare to even the most rural parts of District 22. Money and accessibility should not be the difference between life and death. We must find ways to utilize the best parts of our district so that the greatest benefits can be enjoyed by everyone living here. That starts with having the right representation in our state capital. I am confident that I am that right representation. Send me to Tallahassee so that I can forge consensus on public policy that will uplift all of our communities, urban and rural alike. I have begun working on this issue already in my home county. I have started a conversation that I am hopeful will one day result in a good medical campus that serves all Levy County residents and provides a model for our rural neighbors in other parts of District 22. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay updated about campaign events and our activities throughout the district.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/7/1/2107847/--Rural-Healthcare-in-Our-District

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