Press Release: Florida Health Advocates Call on Elected Leaders to Address Rising Health Care Costs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 26, 2026 

Florida - As the season of elections and insurance enrollment converge, reports and polling show that voters have affordability and health care as their top priorities. Floridians are facing another year of health coverage premium increases, as filings from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation show. Florida health care advocates today called on candidates and elected officials to address rising health care costs, highlighting the stories of Floridians who are facing high costs at every turn. 

“Floridians are living in a broken healthcare system with high premiums, high drug costs, and policies that leave people falling through the gaps,” said Scott Darius, Executive Director of Florida Voices for Health. “With voters taking these issues seriously, it’s time our future lawmakers take our health care system seriously and act to make it more affordable and accessible for everyone.” 

Maria Catalina “Cat” Jimenez, a Miami resident, shared that she went uninsured this year after her Affordable Care Act monthly premium plan rose from $180/month to more than $1000/month. She’s been able to rely on a local health center for care. “I'm very grateful to have this resource, because otherwise, I would be completely stranded without any access to medical care.” Going uninsured means the risk of potential medical debt, which she recently experienced with a health issue that left her relying on urgent care services. “I’m not looking forward to that bill.”

Dave Waalewyn is a Central Florida pilot who worked for Spirit Airlines when the company went bankrupt in May this year, leaving employees without temporary health insurance coverage options. His Affordable Care Act plan ended up being $1,500 every month. “I was hoping to possibly retire,” but has had to delay retirement due to the cost.

Emily Bellairs-Romero, a Central Florida resident, manages her Crohn's disease for 16 years with medication mostly covered by her husband’s health insurance and pharmaceutical assistance. This year, she had to change to a different, more expensive medication due to coverage changes from her insurance company. “I call this the sick industry. The cost of this medication and the cost of my insurance is becoming unsustainable. Full stop. We need a health care system that puts people over extreme profits.” 

Florida Voices for Health was also joined by organization partners from Families USA and the Family Healthcare Foundation. Earlier this year, Families USA launched the Stop the Bleed campaign to get as many candidates and elected officials to commit to lower health care costs.    

                                                         #    #    #

About Florida Voices for Health

Florida Voices for Health is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to improve health care outcomes for all Floridians. We are a coalition of community organizations, businesses, and individuals working to create a health care system that works for every Floridian. Our partners work together to bring the latest resources and information into our communities. We also make sure that the stories and the interests of hard working, low and moderate income Floridians are represented in the health reform debate.