No Medicaid decision from Fla. Legislature

No Medicaid decision from Fla. Legislature

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Democratic leaders want Republican Gov. Rick Scott to veto the state budget or call a special session after the Legislature adjourned without passing an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program.

House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston said some low-income Floridians are not benefiting from the budget.

In an unusual alliance, Scott, Senate Republicans, Democrats, Florida hospitals, health advocates and a diverse mix of business and labor groups all supported a bill that would have drawn down more than $50 billion from the federal government over the next decade. That would have allowed an estimated 1.1 million low-income Floridians to purchase private insurance.

But leaders in the GOP-led Florida House refused to consider that proposal, saying they didn’t want to take funds tied to President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Florida lawmakers adjourned their legislative session tonight.