As Medicaid Fight Continues, Fla. Gov. Back In D.C. Lobbying For Aid For Hospitals
Gov. Rick Scott also says the battle over whether Florida should expand its Medicaid program may keep the state from enacting tax breaks or improving funding for schools. Elsewhere, Alaska lawmakers begin to dig in again on the expansion controversy there.
The Associated Press:
Gov. Scott Back In DC Seeking Support In Health Care Fight
Just days after flying to Washington in hopes of convincing the Obama administration to extend federal hospital funds, Gov. Rick Scott was back in the nation's capital Tuesday slamming federal health officials for denying his request. The administration wants the Florida governor to expand Medicaid to more than 800,000 Floridians, which it says is a more efficient use of federal funds than paying hospitals retroactively for caring for the uninsured. ... The governor also met with members of Florida's congressional delegation and other fellow Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, to push his case. (Kennedy, 5/12)
Palm Beach Post:
War Between Florida Republican Leaders May Claim New Victims: Taxpayers And School Kids
The battle among Florida’s Republican leaders over covering uninsured residents looks ready to claim state taxpayers and school kids as the latest political victims. Appearing Monday night on FOX-TV’s On The Record with Greta Van Susteren, Scott said he expected his call for $673 million in tax breaks and a record high level of per-pupil funding to be scrapped when lawmakers return in June for a special session. (Kennedy, 5/11)
News Service Of Florida:
Scott Names Hospital Panel Without Hospital Execs
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday appointed nine people --- none of them hospital executives, and only one of whom appears to have significant medical experience --- to a commission meant to examine the economics of health care and hospitals in Florida. The appointments to Scott's Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding came as industry officials are still digesting the governor's call to have hospitals share profits like Major League Baseball teams if federal officials decide not to extend a $2.2 billion program that helps pay for the care of uninsured patients. (Larrabee, 5/12)
Fairbanks (Alaska) News Miner:
At Medicaid Expansion Hearing, Opponents Poke Holes In Governor's Plan
The first day in a week of hearings on Medicaid expansion hosted by the House Finance Committee in Anchorage was like a thundercloud gathering over kindling parched by more than 90 days of legislative gridlock. ... Tuesday’s hearing quickly turned into a full-blown, unmitigated blaze of politically loaded attacks on Gov. Bill Walker’s top campaign promise launched by Republicans with the occasional softball question lobbed by a pro-expansion Democrat.
As Walker was holding a press conference to chide the Legislature for skipping out on its plan to reconvene in Juneau on Tuesday, the second of four hearings scheduled on House Bill 148 this week was rife with speeches staking out well-entrenched positions against Medicaid expansion. (Buxton, 5/12)
Alaska Public Media:
Walker Administration Says Medicaid System Is On The Mend
Healthcare Services Director Margaret Brodie briefed legislators on the state’s progress with the [Medicaid payment] system at House Finance committee hearings today and yesterday. The update comes as Gov. Bill Walker has asked lawmakers to accept federal dollars to expand the state’s Medicaid program. Out of the 500 defects found in the Xerox-built system, fewer than 100 remain. Brodie also said claims were being processed with greater than 90 percent accuracy. She said the system is not perfect, but it is improving dramatically and can handle more claims. (Gutierrez, 5/12)
