Florida's Primary Is Over. Now Healthcare Takes Center Stage

Florida's August 18 primary has set the stage for November, and for healthcare professionals, the election is about much more than politics. Decisions made by the state's next leaders could influence Medicaid, healthcare costs, home based services and access to care for millions of Floridians.

In the race for governor, Republican Byron Donalds will face Democrat David Jolly. Donalds received approximately 48% of the Republican primary vote, while Jolly and running mate Gwen Graham received approximately 61% on the Democratic side.

Healthcare is already emerging as an important issue in the race.

Jolly has proposed expanding Medicaid in Florida and increasing access to primary healthcare throughout all 67 counties. Florida remains one of 10 states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Donalds has focused his healthcare message on reducing costs and increasing price transparency. Following the primary, he called for doctors' offices and hospitals to publish cash prices for commonly provided services, arguing that greater transparency would allow Floridians to better understand and compare healthcare costs.

Florida's U.S. Senate race is also set. Republican incumbent Ashley Moody will face Democratic State Representative Angie Nixon in November. Nixon campaigned in part on Medicare for All and expanding access to healthcare, while Moody will be seeking to retain the Senate seat she was appointed to in 2025.

Why This Matters to Case Managers

For case managers and organizations serving Medicaid members, seniors and individuals receiving care at home, these policy discussions can eventually have very practical consequences.

Florida Medicaid covers medically necessary durable medical equipment and supplies used in a recipient's home, including hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen and respiratory equipment, ostomy and urological supplies, and other essential products. DME and medical supplies are also among the minimum covered services for Florida's Managed Medical Assistance and Long Term Care plans.

Home health services, including qualifying skilled nursing and home health aide visits, are similarly included among minimum covered Medicaid services.

Florida has also continued updating policies directly affecting these services. A revised Medicaid rule governing continence, ostomy and wound care DME and medical supplies took effect May 31, 2026.

The November election will not determine every healthcare policy overnight. But the people elected to state and federal office will help shape future conversations surrounding healthcare funding, Medicaid, Medicare, regulation and access to home based care.

For case managers, providers and the members they serve, those are conversations worth following.