Statement from House Democratic Leader-designate Perry Thurston
TALLAHASSEE, FL – In the wake of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, Florida House Democratic Leader-designate Perry Thurston (D-Plantation) recently called on Florida Governor Rick Scott to redirect his focus toward implementing the law and solving Florida’s health care crisis.
Rep. Thurston issued the following statement:
“Having lost their legal fight, it is time now for Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and legislative leaders to direct their influence toward helping our state carry out the Affordable Care Act to the benefit of millions of Floridians.
“It is especially imperative that Governor Scott stop the foot dragging and recognize that it is fiscally and morally irresponsible to refuse billions of dollars to provide health coverage to more low-income Floridians.
“I believe it is a colossal abdication of Governor Scott’s responsibility to prematurely reject provisions of the Affordable Care Act that would provide access to basic health care for Florida’s most-needy citizens. In addition, I urge Governor Scott to be mindful of his harmful rhetoric. His recent repugnant and divisive remarks on the topic truly displays a lack of compassion, a lack of leadership and strikes me as a sickening political stunt at the expense of our state’s most vulnerable residents.
“Lost in Governor Scott’s insensitive statements in the wake of the ruling on the Affordable Care Act is an apparent failure to recognize that all Florida residents and businesses have an inherent stake in making sure there are good health outcomes for Floridians. The status quo only continues a costly reliance on hospital emergency rooms for treatment to the poor, which wastes resources and drives up costs for other consumers and businesses.
“Governor Scott’s defiance renders him incapable of recognizing that health insurance exchanges authorized under the Affordable Care Act embrace free market principles and pro-mote personal responsibility by allowing consumers to comparison shop in purchasing health coverage.
“On behalf of my colleagues in the Florida House Democratic Caucus and on behalf of many Floridians, I call on Governor Scott to show leadership and end the political gamesmanship. It is time for Governor Scott to get to work and implement health care reform for Florida.”
Representative Perry Thurston can be reached at (954) 762-3746.
