JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In September, Jacksonville City Councilman Rahman Johnson introduced a resolution highlighting what he said is a pressing need for broader health care coverage in Duval County. The resolution would have called on state lawmakers to work toward Medicaid expansion.

But the resolution failed in the rules committee by a vote of 3 to 4. Councilman Terrance Freeman said it was a state issue and opposed the resolution along with councilors Nick Howland, Mike Gay and Chris Miller. Council members Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci and Rahman Johnson supported the resolution.

During deliberations in the Committee on Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety (NCSPHS), members split 3-3.

According to City Hall’s Research Division, approximately 112,000 residents remain uninsured and many more are underinsured. The county ranks 46th out of 67 in health outcomes statewide.

If adopted, the Legislative Services Division will be directed to provide a copy of the resolution to the Duval County Legislative Delegation, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and Governor 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 caused an automatic postponement due to the absence of Councilman Jimmy Peluso.

Emergency medicine expert Dr. Alejandro Alonso presented data highlighting poor health outcomes in Duval County and Florida overall, emphasizing the potential of Medicaid expansion to reduce mortality rates and chronic conditions.

Council Member Boylan echoed the importance of expanding access to preventative care, while Council Member Johnson noted that preventative measures could lead to long-term cost savings. However, Councilman Miller expressed skepticism and questioned the effectiveness of Medicaid expansion in improving health outcomes.

Councilman Johnson also acknowledged that while the bill had support in the state Senate, it lacked sufficient support in the House.