Your signature can help vulnerable Floridians get the health care they need | Opinion

If I told you that just by signing your name you could change, and possibly even save, countless Floridians’ lives, would you do it? Well, guess what Florida, you’re about to be handed that opportunity, and I really hope you’ll take it. In 2026, Medicaid expansion could be on the ballot in Florida, and I want to tell you about one of the people whose lives would be transformed if it passes: my mom.

My mom is my whole world. She means everything to me, but I may end up being the cause of her death. I am 20 years old; I have cerebral palsy and I’m severely disabled. I’m in a wheelchair, and I use an app on my iPad for communication. I type everything with my nose, including this op-ed. I need help from my mom 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because I can’t feed, bathe or care for myself. My mom has cared for me all my life, and without her, I would have been condemned to live in a state-run institution, because there’s no other help available. I’ve been on a waiting list for home and community-based services for over 17 years, and until I get to the top of that list, my mom has to care for me around the clock.

I live with my parents; my little sister, who’s a sophomore in high school; and three crazy dogs from the animal shelter. My dad has a lot of health issues, and a few weeks ago, he got neck surgery, which means he can’t lift me. My parents earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid but not enough to qualify for a marketplace plan under the Affordable Care Act. Luckily, my dad’s a veteran, so he gets his health care through the VA, but his health issues mean that my mom has to do most of the lifting. She’s been injured so many times from the constant lifting, and I can tell she’s always in pain. It tears me apart inside that I have to rely on her for everything, but right now, without her help, I’d have to spend every day in bed.

Expanding Medicaid would mean my mom could get her injuries treated and get relief from the unrelenting pain and, more importantly, her life wouldn’t be cut short by something that could be easily cured if it was caught in time. The thought of my mom dying because she’s dedicated her life to me crushes my soul. We all dread losing our moms but, in my case, my life would effectively be over too if she dies. My mom, and every other caregiver in Florida who doesn’t have health care, shouldn’t be penalized just because of political decisions made by the state. My mom works so hard to make my life easier, so writing this op-ed is my chance to show her my gratitude, tell her how much I love her, and — with your support — make her life and 1.4 million other Floridians’ lives easier by finally giving them access to affordable health care.

You may think at first that I am asking for the state to spend a lot of money by expanding health care access to my mom and 1.4 million others. But in reality, it would actually save money for Florida’s taxpayers. Most of the new expenses would be covered by tax dollars already being sent to D.C. and going to other states instead of helping people here at home. Experts from the Florida Policy Institute estimate that between new federal funding and cost savings, expanding Medicaid would save Florida’s taxpayers $200 million per year. In February, the Republican led state House in Mississippi passed a bill to expand Medicaid. They called it a smart investment. I agree, and I really hope you do too.

Before I finish this piece, I want to take this opportunity to say something directly to my mom. Mom, I know you’ll be reading this, and I want you to know I plan on fighting as hard for your life as you always have for mine. I hope I’ve made you proud.

Please join me in helping my mom and so many like her by visiting floridadecideshealthcare.org to sign the petition to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot here in Florida.

JJ Holmes is a freshman at Seminole State College. He is a disability and health care advocate and lives in Longwood.