JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan emphasized the success of Jacksonville’s telemedicine program, Health Link Jax, which connects uninsured residents to doctors and reduces costly emergency room visits.
“This health Link Jax program… has saved more than $10 million for emergency room visits,” Deegan said. “It has been a wildly successful program.”
She explained the program’s benefits for taxpayers, noting that emergency room visits are expensive and the costs “trickle down to people in health care costs.”
Deegan expressed frustration over duplicative investigations into the program, stating, “The IG’s office actually went in and relooked at everything in the procurement process. And it was all perfect.”
RELATED: Duval DOGE committee dives deeper into city’s telehealth contract amid fraud allegations
Turning to community development, Deegan shared her excitement about the upcoming opening of Jacksonville’s new Riverfront Plaza, calling it a “wonderful, beautiful, elevated playground” with amenities including a café, restrooms, and an event lawn.
“It’s almost ready to open to the public. Pretty exciting,” she said. The plaza will debut with a holiday fest featuring a tree lighting, boat parade, fireworks, a holiday light show at Friendship Fountain, and ice skating at the Jax Artists Walk.
On political civility, Deegan discussed signing the Oklahoma Declaration Against Political Violence, a bipartisan effort by more than 230 mayors to promote respectful discourse.
“We just work together. We’re pragmatic. We put party aside,” she said. “Let’s be civil. Let’s tell the truth. Let’s not throw flames.”
Deegan also highlighted the Duval Care Coalition, a community effort to combat food insecurity, especially following the government shutdown that paused SNAP benefits.
“We want to make sure our community doesn’t go hungry,” she said. The coalition’s website, jacksonville.gov/duvalcarecoalition , offers ways to seek assistance or donate.
To watch the full interview with Mayor Deegan and Political Analyst Rick Mullaney about President Trump signing the release of the Epstein files, tune in to This Week In Jacksonville on Sunday morning at 9.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.