Hardworking south Floridians traveled to the Florida Capitol on Valentine’s Day to ask lawmakers to accept Medicaid dollars, already put aside in the federal budget, to broaden coverage to one million more Floridians. The group asked Florida House and Senate leadership, the governor and South Florida lawmakers to take action to create a healthier state and good quality healthcare jobs as well as strengthen the economy.



“Accepting the federal Medicaid dollars is a win-win for our state,” said Redelio Conesa, a resident of Miami’s Little Havana. “It is a bit worrisome to think that we are even debating an issue that will provide better healthcare, create thousands of jobs and help Florida’s still stagnant economy. We have the opportunity to help those who are being forced to decide between buying food and going to the doctor. Florida’s lawmakers need to do the right thing.”



As part of the statewide Valentine’s Day action, Health Care for Florida Now and 1199SEIU Florida also promoted an online campaign encouraging Floridians to post the Valentine’s Day card on Facebook and send an E-Card to their friends.



Visit www.Facebook.com/1199SEIUFlorida to see a copy of the E-Card and pictures of Floridians delivering valentines to state lawmakers.