KFF News

Annie Gaus

Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom—political rivals from opposite coasts and proxies for red and blue America—are set to square off for a first-of-its-kind debate Thursday in Georgia.

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<p>Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom—political rivals from opposite coasts and proxies for red and blue America—are set to square off for a first-of-its-kind debate Thursday in Georgia.</p>

Newsom, a liberal firebrand in his second term as governor of California, isn’t running for president—at least not yet. But he goaded DeSantis, in his second term as governor of Florida, to go toe to toe in a televised debate. “I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1570902190964998145">taunted last year</a> in a post on Twitter, now called X.

<p>Newsom, a liberal firebrand in his second term as governor of California, isn’t running for president—at least not yet. But he goaded DeSantis, in his second term as governor of Florida, to go toe to toe in a televised debate. “I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1570902190964998145">taunted last year</a> in a post on Twitter, now called X.</p>

The matchup promises to be a heated brawl between rising political stars who lead two of the nation’s most populous and diverse states. And it will mark the first time the politicians meet in person, though they have very publicly traded barbs and insults. In recent weeks, the rivals have attacked each other in&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/lara_korte/status/1724177237724086639/video/2">fundraising videos</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.bluelena.io/lt.php?s=ef472a7c4c91248f630a7dd3b3b259a6&amp;i=905A432A31A29920">campaign ads</a>.

<p>The matchup promises to be a heated brawl between rising political stars who lead two of the nation’s most populous and diverse states. And it will mark the first time the politicians meet in person, though they have very publicly traded barbs and insults. In recent weeks, the rivals have attacked each other in&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/lara_korte/status/1724177237724086639/video/2">fundraising videos</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.bluelena.io/lt.php?s=ef472a7c4c91248f630a7dd3b3b259a6&amp;i=905A432A31A29920">campaign ads</a>.</p>

Front and center will be homelessness and health care, top priorities for voters—and issues that have largely defined the governors’ policies and leadership styles. From abortion to Covid vaccines, Newsom and DeSantis could not be further apart.

<p>Front and center will be homelessness and health care, top priorities for voters—and issues that have largely defined the governors’ policies and leadership styles. From abortion to Covid vaccines, Newsom and DeSantis could not be further apart.</p>

Earlier this year, DeSantis blasted California for being too generous with public benefit programs, such as Medicaid, which the Golden State has expanded to all eligible residents regardless of immigration status. That sweeping policy takes effect in January and goes well beyond the optional expansion of Medicaid that the Affordable Care Act offered states. In Florida, one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/">10 states that have refused</a>&nbsp;to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, DeSantis wears the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/percentage-without-health-insurance-coverage-by-state-2021-2022.html">11% rate of uninsured</a>&nbsp;residents as a badge of honor.

<p>Earlier this year, DeSantis blasted California for being too generous with public benefit programs, such as Medicaid, which the Golden State has expanded to all eligible residents regardless of immigration status. That sweeping policy takes effect in January and goes well beyond the optional expansion of Medicaid that the Affordable Care Act offered states. In Florida, one of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/">10 states that have refused</a>&nbsp;to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, DeSantis wears the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/percentage-without-health-insurance-coverage-by-state-2021-2022.html">11% rate of uninsured</a>&nbsp;residents as a badge of honor.</p>

“We’re not going to be like California and have massive numbers of people on government programs without work requirements,” DeSantis said at a presidential <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/gop-presidential-primary-debate-2-angry-rematch/">primary debate</a>&nbsp;in Southern California earlier this year.

<p>“We’re not going to be like California and have massive numbers of people on government programs without work requirements,” DeSantis said at a presidential <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/gop-presidential-primary-debate-2-angry-rematch/">primary debate</a>&nbsp;in Southern California earlier this year.</p>

DeSantis has led his state to restrict abortion and gender-affirming care and to ban Covid-related mask and vaccine mandates.

<p>DeSantis has led his state to restrict abortion and gender-affirming care and to ban Covid-related mask and vaccine mandates.</p>

Newsom, a slick and brash surrogate for Democratic President Joe Biden, is widely seen as a future White House hopeful. And he has slammed DeSantis for putting Floridians in danger and stripping them of their rights.

<p>Newsom, a slick and brash surrogate for Democratic President Joe Biden, is widely seen as a future White House hopeful. And he has slammed DeSantis for putting Floridians in danger and stripping them of their rights.</p>

“Join us in California, where we still believe in freedom,” Newsom said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/07/03/gavin-newsom-florida-ron-desantis-political-ad-ip-vpx.cnn">a political ad</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

<p>“Join us in California, where we still believe in freedom,” Newsom said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/07/03/gavin-newsom-florida-ron-desantis-political-ad-ip-vpx.cnn">a political ad</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.</p>

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a May 2023 press conference shortly before revealing that year's budget proposal.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AP23131636972382-scaled.jpg?w=2500" alt="Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference behind a podium reading &quot;California Climate Action&quot;" class="wp-image-159838"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference in Paramount, California, on May 1. </figcaption></figure>


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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AP23131636972382-scaled.jpg?w=2500" alt="Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference behind a podium reading &quot;California Climate Action&quot;" class="wp-image-159838"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a press conference in Paramount, California, on May 1. </figcaption></figure>

Newsom has earned the moniker of “health care governor” by catapulting the issue to the top of his policy priorities. He made California an abortion sanctuary and is dramatically expanding health care benefits. He had promised to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/the-demise-of-single-payer-in-california-trips-up-efforts-in-other-states/">single-payer health care</a>&nbsp;to the nation’s most populous state while campaigning for his first term, but that idea hit stiff political opposition early in his tenure. And now Newsom boasts about bringing the state’s uninsured rate to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2023/11/07/record-financial-assistance-helps-bridge-the-gap-as-covered-california-launches-2024-open-enrollment-campaign/#:~:text=Since%20Covered%20California's%20first%20open,period%2C%20according%20to%20federal%20data">all-time low of 6.5%</a>&nbsp;by expanding coverage in other ways.

<p>Newsom has earned the moniker of “health care governor” by catapulting the issue to the top of his policy priorities. He made California an abortion sanctuary and is dramatically expanding health care benefits. He had promised to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/the-demise-of-single-payer-in-california-trips-up-efforts-in-other-states/">single-payer health care</a>&nbsp;to the nation’s most populous state while campaigning for his first term, but that idea hit stiff political opposition early in his tenure. And now Newsom boasts about bringing the state’s uninsured rate to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2023/11/07/record-financial-assistance-helps-bridge-the-gap-as-covered-california-launches-2024-open-enrollment-campaign/#:~:text=Since%20Covered%20California's%20first%20open,period%2C%20according%20to%20federal%20data">all-time low of 6.5%</a>&nbsp;by expanding coverage in other ways.</p>

These issues are expected to take center stage during the nationally televised 90-minute debate on Fox News, which could have major reverberations for the presidential contest next year and could even help shape the 2028 field of White House contenders. The debate airs at 9 p.m. ET and takes place in Alpharetta, Georgia.

<p>These issues are expected to take center stage during the nationally televised 90-minute debate on Fox News, which could have major reverberations for the presidential contest next year and could even help shape the 2028 field of White House contenders. The debate airs at 9 p.m. ET and takes place in Alpharetta, Georgia. </p>

DeSantis, who was once seen as a political heir to former President Donald Trump, has been <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/national/">fading in national polls</a> amid campaign <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/05/1197565074/ron-desantis-campaign-trump-republican-candidates-staffing-issues">staff turnover</a>. Newsom has spent the past few weeks seemingly burnishing his presidential credentials, traveling abroad to Israel and China and attending the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. At an APEC event, Biden told a crowd that Newsom could <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/joe-biden-san-francisco-tech-elites-apec-summit/">have the job &#8220;I&#8217;m looking for.&#8221;</a>

Joe Biden parties with Gavin Newsom, Steve Kerr and Gwen Stefani in San Francisco

<p>DeSantis, who was once seen as a political heir to former President Donald Trump, has been <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/national/">fading in national polls</a> amid campaign <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/05/1197565074/ron-desantis-campaign-trump-republican-candidates-staffing-issues">staff turnover</a>. Newsom has spent the past few weeks seemingly burnishing his presidential credentials, traveling abroad to Israel and China and attending the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. At an APEC event, Biden told a crowd that Newsom could <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/joe-biden-san-francisco-tech-elites-apec-summit/">have the job "I'm looking for."</a> </p>

<p>DeSantis, who was once seen as a political heir to former President Donald Trump, has been <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/national/">fading in national polls</a> amid campaign <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/05/1197565074/ron-desantis-campaign-trump-republican-candidates-staffing-issues">staff turnover</a>. Newsom has spent the past few weeks seemingly burnishing his presidential credentials, traveling abroad to Israel and China and attending the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. At an APEC event, Biden told a crowd that Newsom could <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/15/joe-biden-san-francisco-tech-elites-apec-summit/">have the job &#8220;I&#8217;m looking for.&#8221;</a> </p>

Here are a few of the issues that could arise during the Thursday night debate—and where Newsom and DeSantis stand.

<p>Here are a few of the issues that could arise during the Thursday night debate—and where Newsom and DeSantis stand. </p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obamacare">Obamacare</h2>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obamacare">Obamacare</h2>

DeSantis has refused to expand Medicaid eligibility to more people under the Affordable Care Act. Partly as a result, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/early-2023-and-full-year-2022-effectuated-enrollment-report.pdf">3 million Floridians</a>&nbsp;had coverage through the federal Obamacare exchange as of February, more than any other state. Florida does not have a state-based exchange or offer state-sponsored subsidies.

<p>DeSantis has refused to expand Medicaid eligibility to more people under the Affordable Care Act. Partly as a result, more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/early-2023-and-full-year-2022-effectuated-enrollment-report.pdf">3 million Floridians</a>&nbsp;had coverage through the federal Obamacare exchange as of February, more than any other state. Florida does not have a state-based exchange or offer state-sponsored subsidies.</p>

The state has enthusiastically embraced the Affordable Care Act, expanding Medicaid while setting up its own insurance exchange, Covered California. Under Newsom, it has also&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-medicaid-makeover-newsom-california-medi-cal-homeless-public-funds/">gone well beyond</a>&nbsp;the provisions of Obamacare and&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-stockpiles-penalties-from-uninsured-residents-instead-of-lowering-care-costs/">created a state requirement</a>&nbsp;for Californians to have health insurance after the federal mandate was eliminated.

<p>The state has enthusiastically embraced the Affordable Care Act, expanding Medicaid while setting up its own insurance exchange, Covered California. Under Newsom, it has also&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-medicaid-makeover-newsom-california-medi-cal-homeless-public-funds/">gone well beyond</a>&nbsp;the provisions of Obamacare and&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-stockpiles-penalties-from-uninsured-residents-instead-of-lowering-care-costs/">created a state requirement</a>&nbsp;for Californians to have health insurance after the federal mandate was eliminated.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abortion">Abortion</h2>


DeSantis&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2023/04/13/governor-ron-desantis-signs-heartbeat-protection-act/">approved legislation</a>&nbsp;in April banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. However, the Florida Supreme Court has&nbsp;<a href="https://acis.flcourts.gov/portal/court/68f021c4-6a44-4735-9a76-5360b2e8af13/case/693c27ad-f040-4da1-9c9e-b52e62e960a2">taken up a challenge</a>&nbsp;to the 15-week ban introduced in 2022, which will determine if the six-week ban can take effect.

<p>DeSantis&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2023/04/13/governor-ron-desantis-signs-heartbeat-protection-act/">approved legislation</a>&nbsp;in April banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. However, the Florida Supreme Court has&nbsp;<a href="https://acis.flcourts.gov/portal/court/68f021c4-6a44-4735-9a76-5360b2e8af13/case/693c27ad-f040-4da1-9c9e-b52e62e960a2">taken up a challenge</a>&nbsp;to the 15-week ban introduced in 2022, which will determine if the six-week ban can take effect.</p>

Newsom spearheaded the effort in 2022 to&nbsp;<a href="https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=1&amp;year=2022">amend the state constitution</a>&nbsp;to enshrine the right to abortion and birth control. He also approved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/04/18/ahead-of-likely-u-s-supreme-court-decision-governor-newsom-announces-new-efforts-to-protect-medication-abortion-access-in-california/#:~:text=Of%20this%2C%20%2440%20million%20is,people%20forced%20to%20come%20to">$60 million</a>&nbsp;to help uninsured patients and people from out of state pay for abortions in California, and signed reproductive health care laws, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-abortion-pill-gavin-newsom-b7e392be628411230319215d7c010f21">one protecting doctors</a>&nbsp;who mail abortion pills to other states.

<p>Newsom spearheaded the effort in 2022 to&nbsp;<a href="https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Proposition?number=1&amp;year=2022">amend the state constitution</a>&nbsp;to enshrine the right to abortion and birth control. He also approved&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/04/18/ahead-of-likely-u-s-supreme-court-decision-governor-newsom-announces-new-efforts-to-protect-medication-abortion-access-in-california/#:~:text=Of%20this%2C%20%2440%20million%20is,people%20forced%20to%20come%20to">$60 million</a>&nbsp;to help uninsured patients and people from out of state pay for abortions in California, and signed reproductive health care laws, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-abortion-pill-gavin-newsom-b7e392be628411230319215d7c010f21">one protecting doctors</a>&nbsp;who mail abortion pills to other states.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transgender-care">Transgender Care</h2>


Under DeSantis, Florida passed a law this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/254">banning gender-affirming health care</a>&nbsp;for trans minors and mandating that adult patients sign&nbsp;<a href="https://flboardofmedicine.gov/forms/Masculinizing-Medications-for-Patients-with-Gender-Dysphoria-Patient-Information-and-Informed-Consent.pdf">informed consent forms</a>&nbsp;before starting or continuing hormone treatment. The law also restricts who can order hormone therapy to physicians and prohibits the use of telehealth for new prescriptions. A federal lawsuit challenging the law is set to go to trial in mid-December.

<p>Under DeSantis, Florida passed a law this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/254">banning gender-affirming health care</a>&nbsp;for trans minors and mandating that adult patients sign&nbsp;<a href="https://flboardofmedicine.gov/forms/Masculinizing-Medications-for-Patients-with-Gender-Dysphoria-Patient-Information-and-Informed-Consent.pdf">informed consent forms</a>&nbsp;before starting or continuing hormone treatment. The law also restricts who can order hormone therapy to physicians and prohibits the use of telehealth for new prescriptions. A federal lawsuit challenging the law is set to go to trial in mid-December.</p>

Newsom and other state leaders have amended state law to ensure all&nbsp;<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB107">California adults and children</a>&nbsp;are entitled to gender-affirming health care services. And insurance companies doing business in California&nbsp;<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB923">must include</a>&nbsp;information on in-network providers for gender-affirming services by 2025. State health care agencies are designing “enforceable quality standards” to ensure trans patients have access to comprehensive care.

<p>Newsom and other state leaders have amended state law to ensure all&nbsp;<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB107">California adults and children</a>&nbsp;are entitled to gender-affirming health care services. And insurance companies doing business in California&nbsp;<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB923">must include</a>&nbsp;information on in-network providers for gender-affirming services by 2025. State health care agencies are designing “enforceable quality standards” to ensure trans patients have access to comprehensive care.</p>

A screenshot of a new Ron DeSantis campaign ad, which was filmed on the corner of Hyde and Geary streets in San Francisco.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-20-at-6.59.13-PM.png?w=2500" alt="A screenshot of a Ron DeSantis campaign ad shows the Florida governor in a white button-down shirt and black suit jacket with no tie, gesturing with his arms while he stands next to a graffiti-covered building in San Francisco." class="wp-image-173237"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ron DeSantis used the blighted corner of Hyde and Geary streets in San Francisco as a backdrop for a campaign ad slamming liberal policies. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homelessness">Homelessness</h2>


DeSantis has not declared homelessness a priority. In a video filmed on the streets of San Francisco and posted to social media in June, DeSantis used the topic as&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/1671300453521408001">a campaign cudgel</a>&nbsp;to criticize what he called “leftist policies” in California. Florida&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/fl-mma-ca.pdf">is experimenting</a>&nbsp;with using Medicaid funds to address homelessness, but the program is limited. Nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_State_FL_2022.pdf">26,000 people</a>&nbsp;are homeless in Florida, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2022-AHAR-Part-1.pdf#page=18">12 of every 10,000 residents</a>.

<p>DeSantis has not declared homelessness a priority. In a video filmed on the streets of San Francisco and posted to social media in June, DeSantis used the topic as&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis/status/1671300453521408001">a campaign cudgel</a>&nbsp;to criticize what he called “leftist policies” in California. Florida&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/fl-mma-ca.pdf">is experimenting</a>&nbsp;with using Medicaid funds to address homelessness, but the program is limited. Nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_State_FL_2022.pdf">26,000 people</a>&nbsp;are homeless in Florida, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2022-AHAR-Part-1.pdf#page=18">12 of every 10,000 residents</a>.</p>

Newsom&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-homeless-crisis-governor-gavin-newsom-political-future/">has plowed</a>&nbsp;more than $20 billion into the homelessness crisis, with billions more for health and social services. For example, some homeless Californians can get social services through the state’s Medicaid program, such as money for rental security deposits, utility payments, and first and last month’s rent. Newsom also led a new state initiative that could force some homeless people into mental health or addiction treatment. More than&nbsp;<a href="https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_State_CA_2022.pdf">171,000 people</a>&nbsp;are homeless in California, or 44 of every 10,000 residents.

<p>Newsom&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-homeless-crisis-governor-gavin-newsom-political-future/">has plowed</a>&nbsp;more than $20 billion into the homelessness crisis, with billions more for health and social services. For example, some homeless Californians can get social services through the state’s Medicaid program, such as money for rental security deposits, utility payments, and first and last month’s rent. Newsom also led a new state initiative that could force some homeless people into mental health or addiction treatment. More than&nbsp;<a href="https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_State_CA_2022.pdf">171,000 people</a>&nbsp;are homeless in California, or 44 of every 10,000 residents.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health">Mental Health</h2>


DeSantis has kept his pledge to advocate for mental health treatment programs as governor, although Florida still&nbsp;<a href="https://miamifoundationformentalhealth.org/about-us/">ranks 43rd nationally</a>&nbsp;in access to mental health care and has the fourth-highest rate of adults with mental illness who are uninsured, according to the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery. Under DeSantis, Florida has increased state funding for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-Budget-Highlights.pdf">mental health programs in schools</a>&nbsp;and peer-to-peer mental health&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2021/12/03/first-lady-casey-desantis-announces-12-million-to-expand-peer-to-peer-mental-health-services-for-first-responders/">services for first responders</a>, and directed funding to suicide prevention.

<p>DeSantis has kept his pledge to advocate for mental health treatment programs as governor, although Florida still&nbsp;<a href="https://miamifoundationformentalhealth.org/about-us/">ranks 43rd nationally</a>&nbsp;in access to mental health care and has the fourth-highest rate of adults with mental illness who are uninsured, according to the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery. Under DeSantis, Florida has increased state funding for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-Budget-Highlights.pdf">mental health programs in schools</a>&nbsp;and peer-to-peer mental health&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2021/12/03/first-lady-casey-desantis-announces-12-million-to-expand-peer-to-peer-mental-health-services-for-first-responders/">services for first responders</a>, and directed funding to suicide prevention.</p>

Newsom in 2020 signed one of the nation’s strongest&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/health/2020/08/california-leader-mental-health/">mental health parity</a>&nbsp;laws, which requires insurance companies to cover mental health and substance use disorders just as they would physical health conditions. He is funding a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/KidsMentalHealthMasterPlan_8.18.22.pdf">$4.7 billion initiative</a>&nbsp;to provide mental health treatment in schools. Newsom is also leading the campaign for a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/10/12/governor-newsom-puts-historic-mental-health-transformation-on-march-2024-ballot/#:~:text=Governor%20Newsom%20signed%20Senate%20Bill,treatment%20settings%20across%20the%20state.">$6.4 billion bond</a>&nbsp;measure in 2024 to revamp and expand community-based behavioral health programs, including thousands of new treatment beds.

<p>Newsom in 2020 signed one of the nation’s strongest&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/health/2020/08/california-leader-mental-health/">mental health parity</a>&nbsp;laws, which requires insurance companies to cover mental health and substance use disorders just as they would physical health conditions. He is funding a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/KidsMentalHealthMasterPlan_8.18.22.pdf">$4.7 billion initiative</a>&nbsp;to provide mental health treatment in schools. Newsom is also leading the campaign for a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/10/12/governor-newsom-puts-historic-mental-health-transformation-on-march-2024-ballot/#:~:text=Governor%20Newsom%20signed%20Senate%20Bill,treatment%20settings%20across%20the%20state.">$6.4 billion bond</a>&nbsp;measure in 2024 to revamp and expand community-based behavioral health programs, including thousands of new treatment beds.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addiction">Addiction</h2>


Florida’s drug overdose death rate was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/florida/fl.htm">37.5 per 100,000 people</a>&nbsp;in 2021. In August, DeSantis announced a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flcorenetwork.com/about-core-network/">statewide addiction recovery program</a>&nbsp;billed as a “first of its kind” in the United States, using peer counselors, medication-assisted treatment and a coordinated network of support services. DeSantis also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/idea/index.html">authorized Florida counties</a>&nbsp;to adopt needle exchange programs in 2019 to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases and encourage addiction treatment.

<p>Florida’s drug overdose death rate was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/florida/fl.htm">37.5 per 100,000 people</a>&nbsp;in 2021. In August, DeSantis announced a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flcorenetwork.com/about-core-network/">statewide addiction recovery program</a>&nbsp;billed as a “first of its kind” in the United States, using peer counselors, medication-assisted treatment and a coordinated network of support services. DeSantis also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/idea/index.html">authorized Florida counties</a>&nbsp;to adopt needle exchange programs in 2019 to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases and encourage addiction treatment.</p>

California’s drug overdose rate was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/california/ca.htm">26.6 per 100,000</a>&nbsp;people in 2021. Newsom is sending the state Highway Patrol and National Guard into San Francisco to combat the open-air fentanyl trade and is boosting addiction recovery programs statewide. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/22/us/gavin-newsom-vetoes-drug-injection-sites.html">he vetoed legislation</a>&nbsp;last year that would have allowed Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland to establish safe injection sites.

<p>California’s drug overdose rate was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/california/ca.htm">26.6 per 100,000</a>&nbsp;people in 2021. Newsom is sending the state Highway Patrol and National Guard into San Francisco to combat the open-air fentanyl trade and is boosting addiction recovery programs statewide. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/22/us/gavin-newsom-vetoes-drug-injection-sites.html">he vetoed legislation</a>&nbsp;last year that would have allowed Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland to establish safe injection sites.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prescription-drugs">Prescription Drugs</h2>


A DeSantis proposal submitted to the FDA in 2020 includes allowing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String=&amp;URL=0300-0399/0381/Sections/0381.02035.html#:~:text=(1)%20PROGRAM%20ESTABLISHED.,(2)%20DEFINITIONS.">imported medications from Canada</a>. A new state law also sets&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1550">price limits for pharmacy benefit managers</a>—intermediaries between insurers, pharmacies and manufacturers—and creates new rules for them around pricing transparency. The law also requires pharmaceutical companies to disclose significant price hikes.

<p>A DeSantis proposal submitted to the FDA in 2020 includes allowing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String=&amp;URL=0300-0399/0381/Sections/0381.02035.html#:~:text=(1)%20PROGRAM%20ESTABLISHED.,(2)%20DEFINITIONS.">imported medications from Canada</a>. A new state law also sets&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1550">price limits for pharmacy benefit managers</a>—intermediaries between insurers, pharmacies and manufacturers—and creates new rules for them around pricing transparency. The law also requires pharmaceutical companies to disclose significant price hikes.</p>

Newsom is spearheading a&nbsp;<a href="https://esd.dof.ca.gov/Documents/bcp/2223/FY2223_ORG4140_BCP5779.pdf?page=14">$100 million</a>, first-in-the-nation initiative that puts California in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-generic-insulin-contract-civica-rx-newsom/">generic drugmaking business</a>, beginning with insulin and the opioid reversal drug naloxone. California already had a pricing transparency law when Newsom took office. This year, he signed a law&nbsp;<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB786">that tightens state regulations</a>&nbsp;for pharmacy benefit managers.

<p>Newsom is spearheading a&nbsp;<a href="https://esd.dof.ca.gov/Documents/bcp/2223/FY2223_ORG4140_BCP5779.pdf?page=14">$100 million</a>, first-in-the-nation initiative that puts California in the&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/california-generic-insulin-contract-civica-rx-newsom/">generic drugmaking business</a>, beginning with insulin and the opioid reversal drug naloxone. California already had a pricing transparency law when Newsom took office. This year, he signed a law&nbsp;<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB786">that tightens state regulations</a>&nbsp;for pharmacy benefit managers.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-care-affordability">Health Care Affordability</h2>


In 2019, DeSantis signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/1113/?Tab=Analyses">Patient Savings Act</a>, which allows health insurers to share cost savings with enrollees who shop for health care services, such as imaging and diagnostic tests. Under his leadership, Florida lawmakers have also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/322/BillText/er/PDF">allowed short-term health plans</a>&nbsp;lasting less than a year and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/843/">direct health care agreements</a>&nbsp;between a patient and a health care provider that are not considered insurance and are not subject to Florida’s insurance code.

<p>In 2019, DeSantis signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/1113/?Tab=Analyses">Patient Savings Act</a>, which allows health insurers to share cost savings with enrollees who shop for health care services, such as imaging and diagnostic tests. Under his leadership, Florida lawmakers have also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/322/BillText/er/PDF">allowed short-term health plans</a>&nbsp;lasting less than a year and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/843/">direct health care agreements</a>&nbsp;between a patient and a health care provider that are not considered insurance and are not subject to Florida’s insurance code.</p>

One of Newsom’s first health care initiatives was to fund state-financed health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income residents who purchase insurance through Covered California. Newsom this year&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/covered-california-patient-costs-lawmakers-win-funding-newsom/">also agreed</a>&nbsp;to lower copays and get rid of some deductibles for plans sold through the exchange. California’s newly created&nbsp;<a href="https://hcai.ca.gov/get-the-facts-about-the-office-of-health-care-affordability/">Office of Health Care Affordability</a>&nbsp;is capping industry cost increases and could potentially regulate health industry consolidation. California bans short-term health plans.

<p>One of Newsom’s first health care initiatives was to fund state-financed health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income residents who purchase insurance through Covered California. Newsom this year&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/covered-california-patient-costs-lawmakers-win-funding-newsom/">also agreed</a>&nbsp;to lower copays and get rid of some deductibles for plans sold through the exchange. California’s newly created&nbsp;<a href="https://hcai.ca.gov/get-the-facts-about-the-office-of-health-care-affordability/">Office of Health Care Affordability</a>&nbsp;is capping industry cost increases and could potentially regulate health industry consolidation. California bans short-term health plans.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health">Public Health</h2>


DeSantis&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2021/11/18/governor-ron-desantis-signs-legislation-to-protect-florida-jobs/">signed legislation</a>&nbsp;in 2021 banning government, schools and private employers from requiring Covid vaccinations. In 2023, he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2023/01/17/governor-ron-desantis-announces-initiative-to-make-protections-from-covid-mandates-permanent-enact-new-protections-for-free-speech-for-medical-practitioners/">pushed legislators to adopt laws</a>&nbsp;prohibiting certain vaccine and mask requirements. He also formed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridahealth.gov/about/ssg/public-health-integrity-committee/index.html">Public Health Integrity Committee</a>&nbsp;led by his hand-picked surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, whose official guidance on Covid vaccines contradicts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations. The Sunshine State’s Covid&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-booster-percent-pop5">vaccine booster rate</a>&nbsp;for residents age 5 and older is 12.4%.

<p>DeSantis&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2021/11/18/governor-ron-desantis-signs-legislation-to-protect-florida-jobs/">signed legislation</a>&nbsp;in 2021 banning government, schools and private employers from requiring Covid vaccinations. In 2023, he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flgov.com/2023/01/17/governor-ron-desantis-announces-initiative-to-make-protections-from-covid-mandates-permanent-enact-new-protections-for-free-speech-for-medical-practitioners/">pushed legislators to adopt laws</a>&nbsp;prohibiting certain vaccine and mask requirements. He also formed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridahealth.gov/about/ssg/public-health-integrity-committee/index.html">Public Health Integrity Committee</a>&nbsp;led by his hand-picked surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, whose official guidance on Covid vaccines contradicts the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations. The Sunshine State’s Covid&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-booster-percent-pop5">vaccine booster rate</a>&nbsp;for residents age 5 and older is 12.4%.</p>

Newsom became the first U.S. governor to issue a statewide stay-at-home order at the start of the Covid pandemic. He pushed strong vaccination and mask mandates and accused DeSantis of being weak on public health. Newsom has also signed laws strengthening childhood vaccination mandates, including a measure that cracks down on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-21/sb276-california-vaccine-law-fight-gavin-newsom-legislature-how-it-happened">bogus medical exemptions</a>&nbsp;granted by doctors. The Golden State’s Covid vaccine booster rate for residents ages 5 and older is 21.9%.

<p>Newsom became the first U.S. governor to issue a statewide stay-at-home order at the start of the Covid pandemic. He pushed strong vaccination and mask mandates and accused DeSantis of being weak on public health. Newsom has also signed laws strengthening childhood vaccination mandates, including a measure that cracks down on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-09-21/sb276-california-vaccine-law-fight-gavin-newsom-legislature-how-it-happened">bogus medical exemptions</a>&nbsp;granted by doctors. The Golden State’s Covid vaccine booster rate for residents ages 5 and older is 21.9%.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immigrant-health-care">Immigrant Health Care</h2>


With DeSantis making immigration a priority, legislators passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://laws.flrules.org/2023/40">state law</a>&nbsp;requiring all Florida hospitals to ask on their admission forms whether a patient is a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the country. Doctors, nurses and health policy experts say the&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/doctors-patient-immigration-status-new-florida-law/">law targets marginalized people</a>&nbsp;who already have difficulty navigating the health care system and will further deter them from seeking care.

<p>With DeSantis making immigration a priority, legislators passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://laws.flrules.org/2023/40">state law</a>&nbsp;requiring all Florida hospitals to ask on their admission forms whether a patient is a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the country. Doctors, nurses and health policy experts say the&nbsp;<a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/doctors-patient-immigration-status-new-florida-law/">law targets marginalized people</a>&nbsp;who already have difficulty navigating the health care system and will further deter them from seeking care.</p>

Beginning in January, all&nbsp;<a href="https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/californias-uninsured-in-2024/">immigrants who meet income qualifications</a>&nbsp;will be eligible for the state’s Medicaid program. Before Newsom took office, California had already expanded eligibility to immigrant children through age 18 living in the state without authorization. Newsom then signed laws expanding the program to young adults up to age 26, adults 50 and older, and, later, immigrants of any age who otherwise meet eligibility requirements.

<p>Beginning in January, all&nbsp;<a href="https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/californias-uninsured-in-2024/">immigrants who meet income qualifications</a>&nbsp;will be eligible for the state’s Medicaid program. Before Newsom took office, California had already expanded eligibility to immigrant children through age 18 living in the state without authorization. Newsom then signed laws expanding the program to young adults up to age 26, adults 50 and older, and, later, immigrants of any age who otherwise meet eligibility requirements.</p>

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Newsom vs. DeSantis debate: Rival governors will go mano a mano in prime time showdown