Health Care for All

Gov. Scott and Legislators are putting our kids’ lives at risk

Florida’s Caregivers call out Governor Scott and the Republican-Led legislature for lack of action on legislation on hospital standards

Miami, FL – Today, as we reach the halfway point of the legislative session, 1199SEIU Florida - the health care workers union – expresses concern about the lack of positive movement and outcomes on health related policies to protect the most vulnerable in our society, our children.

The following is a statement from Jude Derisme, Vice President of 1199SEIU Florida*:



“You would think that Governor Scott and the Republican-led legislature would at least care about keeping our kids healthy and alive, but halfway through the legislative session it looks like their agenda is mostly focused on how to make corporations richer than on the well-being of Floridians. As an example, very little effort has been put in advancing positive health related legislation, especially those that protect our children.

As caregivers, we cannot simply sit down and watch how the lives of our children are not being prioritized by our elected leaders in Tallahassee. As anti-immigrant laws are flying through the House, proactive and urgent bills that would improve health coverage for our children are barely moving or simply being ignored.

Last year, Governor Scott dumped hospital standards for pediatric cardiac surgery programs, even after concerning reports of babies dying at hospitals that were not meeting the quality standards. Since this session started, two bills (Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 617) that would ensure oversight of these hospitals, have been waiting for an opportunity to be heard and are slowly dying as the session starts to wind down.

These bills would create an advisory council to oversee pediatric cardiac care and allow the Department of Health to set standards relating to facilities that provide pediatric cardiac services. These are a step in the right direction to ensure no more children die. If our Governor and our Republican-led legislature do not have the time to prioritize these bills, they should be held responsible for the life of every child in Florida that dies unnecessarily because of their inaction.”

Gov. Scott and Legislators are putting our kids’ lives at risk

Florida’s Caregivers call out Governor Scott and the Republican-Led legislature for lack of action on legislation on hospital standards

Miami, FL – Today, as we reach the halfway point of the legislative session, 1199SEIU Florida - the health care workers union – expresses concern about the lack of positive movement and outcomes on health related policies to protect the most vulnerable in our society, our children.

The following is a statement from Jude Derisme, Vice President of 1199SEIU Florida*:



“You would think that Governor Scott and the Republican-led legislature would at least care about keeping our kids healthy and alive, but halfway through the legislative session it looks like their agenda is mostly focused on how to make corporations richer than on the well-being of Floridians. As an example, very little effort has been put in advancing positive health related legislation, especially those that protect our children.

As caregivers, we cannot simply sit down and watch how the lives of our children are not being prioritized by our elected leaders in Tallahassee. As anti-immigrant laws are flying through the House, proactive and urgent bills that would improve health coverage for our children are barely moving or simply being ignored.

Last year, Governor Scott dumped hospital standards for pediatric cardiac surgery programs, even after concerning reports of babies dying at hospitals that were not meeting the quality standards. Since this session started, two bills (Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 617) that would ensure oversight of these hospitals, have been waiting for an opportunity to be heard and are slowly dying as the session starts to wind down.

These bills would create an advisory council to oversee pediatric cardiac care and allow the Department of Health to set standards relating to facilities that provide pediatric cardiac services. These are a step in the right direction to ensure no more children our Governor and our Republican-led legislature do not have the time to prioritize these bills, they should be held responsible for the life of every child in Florida that dies unnecessarily because of their inaction.”

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