JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In September, Jacksonville City Councilmember Rahman Johnson introduced a resolution that highlighted what he said is a pressing need for broader healthcare coverage in Duval County. The resolution would have called upon state legislators to work toward Medicaid expansion.
But the resolution failed in the rules committee with a 3-4 vote. Councilmember Terrance Freeman said this was a state issue as he opposed the resolution along with Councilmembers Nick Howland, Mike Gay, and Chris Miller. Councilmembers Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci, and Rahman Johnson supported the resolution.
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During deliberations in the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety (NCSPHS) Committee, members were split 3-3.
According to the City Council Research Division, approximately 112,000 residents remain uninsured, and many more are underinsured. The county ranks 46 out of 67 in health outcomes statewide.
If adopted, the Legislative Services Division would be directed to provide a copy of the resolution to the Duval County Legislative Delegation, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In the NCSPHS Committee, the vote was tied 3-3 with Councilmembers Ken Amaro, Michael Boylan, and Tyrona Clark-Murray supporting the resolution and Councilmembers Joe Carlucci, Chris Miller, and Ronald Salem opposing it. The vote led to an automatic deferral due to the absence of Councilmember Jimmy Peluso.
Dr. Alejandro Alonso, an emergency medicine expert, presented data highlighting poor health outcomes in Duval County and Florida at large, emphasizing the potential for Medicaid expansion to lower mortality rates and chronic conditions.
Councilmember Boylan echoed the importance of expanding access to preventive care, while Councilmember Johnson noted that preventive measures could result in long-term cost savings. However, Councilmember Miller expressed skepticism, questioning the effectiveness of Medicaid expansion in improving health outcomes.
Councilmember Johnson also acknowledged that while the bill had backing in the state Senate, it lacked sufficient support in the House.
