Florida Lawmakers Reject Obama Medicaid Program Sought by Scott

[Tony_FLADEM]

Florida legislative committees rejected an expansion of Medicaid for the poor under President Barack Obama’s health-care law, a defeat for Republican Governor Rick Scott from members of his own party.

A Senate panel voted today against expanding Medicaid, an option for states under Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A House committee made the same decision on March 4.

The rebuke from the Republican-controlled legislature shows the difficulty that Scott, who faces re-election in 2014, will have winning approval during the legislative session. Lawmakers have until May 3, the last day of session, to change their minds on Medicaid.

The U.S. Supreme Court said in June that the federal government couldn’t force states to broaden Medicaid under Obama’s health care law. That means states decide.

Scott, 60, supports a “limited” expansion that would last for three years. A former chief executive officer for HCA Holdings Inc. (HCA), Scott said he wouldn’t expand Medicaid after the Supreme Court upheld the law, and changed his position following the November presidential election.

An estimated 3.35 million of Florida’s 19.1 million residents receive Medicaid this year, according to the state legislature’s Office of Economic and Democratic Research.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-11/florida-lawmakers-reject-obama-medicaid-program-sought-by-scott.html

[DonCoquixote]

1. Florida's G rand O ld P irates strike again

We have a legislature that tries to be further to the right then Texas, all the while trying to get whatever Pork can float into the pockets of their "friends" that will employ them after office.

[KaryninMiami]

2. Once again I wonder

Why is it that I still live in this state? Do these assholes not know what their stupidity will mean for huge numbers of seniors and people living in poverty or is it just that they don't give a shit. Between the criminal we have as governor and the clowns on the legislature, this really is a disgrace.

[hay rick]

3. Translation:

Hospital corporation lobbyists are going to have to spend a lot more cash.

[Vannort54]

4. Refuse money for Medicade

The republicans hate Obama and the democrats so bad they refused any money from Obama. They also refused money for high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando. So Michigan too there share. Now they want to have a special election to have taxpayers fund the project. What a bunch of aragont assholes these politicians are here in Florida.