Florida’s Medicaid program is about to get bigger – a lot bigger.
In a flip-flop from a previous decision, Gov. Rick Scott has acquiesced to expanding the state’s Medicaid program to provide coverage for an estimated 1.3 million more people. The expansion is a major prong in the Obamacare program that kicks into effect in 2014, according to The Huffington Post.
Scott has been an outspoken opponent of Obamacare in the past. His disdain for the concept of government-backed universal healthcare coverage even prompted him to dip into his own fortune. He spent about $5 million of his own cash to prevent President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform legislation from being passed in the first place.
Once it did pass – and he became governor – Scott continued his anti-Obamacare stance. He’s been quoted on numerous occasions saying that Florida wouldn’t expand its Medicaid rolls to take part.
All that changed Wednesday, Feb. 20, when Scott announced his new stance.
"I want every Floridian to have access to high-quality health care they can afford," The Huffington Post quoted Scott as saying.
Under the plan, Medicaid coverage would be open to Floridians who earn up to 133 percent of the poverty level. That amounts to $15,282 for a single person, the Post reported. The increase in costs will be covered by the federal government from 2014-2016. After that, the state will start picking up some of the costs.
To make the expansion happen, the state is going to have to spend about $5.4 billion through 2022. It will get $66.1 billion from the federal government for taking part, according to the Post.
What do you think changed Gov. Scott’s mind? Do you think he was right? Or, should he have stood his anti-Obamacare ground? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Bill can very well be about control, but it also can be about reducing costs. I do not agree with the Affordable Healthcare Act as it is written. But the portion of it reducing costs is fairly accurate. It done as the bill says it will cause an industry organizational shift which is sorely needed in the medical industry. But the problem I have with it, is the control and records aspect.
Not only have I read all 2000 pages, I have talked to lobbysts in the medical industry, medical insurance industry, and doctors/administrators about the very this very document. Not some excerpts from made for media documentation. I'm sure you can post 100's even 1000's of those made for media statements. I prefer to talk to people in the industry that understand the long term ramifications of the document. You know, those trained to look past the initial impact. So Patriot, other than the media have you read the document, talked to people in the industry? Or are you just gauging the impact off the made for media comments? By the way Patriot it is the Affordable Healthcare Act, not the made for media Obamacare title which the Republican party and media would like you to believe.
He claimed he was going to create 4 million jobs in Florida. Hasn't happened yet, but I certainly know teachers who have been fired for lack of funds, as well as state workers. How much did he spend on all those junkets overseas that didn't result in any new jobs?
Many of the things you describe were also done by your Messiah Obama but I'm sure you'll never see it that way. Politicians flip flop all the time in fact our President has done it so much his nickname should be Mackerel. Scott can't win with you lefties, you hate him when he does something wrong and hate him even more when he does something right for whatever reason. Do you agree with that ignorant woman on the school board (who makes a lot moe than teachers make) who said the teachers should not accept the $2500 becuase she didn't like the reason he was doing it? Should Scott not expand medicaid because you think he's only doing it for political reasons?
I appreciate her position. But I'm just saying what the data shows. I feel it is as bad as the Patriot Act when it comes to Records. But the costs in the long term will be lowered, due to the reduction that is needed in the medial adminstrative side both for medical insurers and medical providers. Also the litigation that comes along with it. Costs are the business side, and to look at that. In the long term they will lower, in the short term they are going to rise. Just like Medical insurers have pushing them up with the hysteria that the political groups have been creating. As feeling that I have an agenda, no agenda. I think this bill should have been shot down in the Supreme Court due to the medical records side of it. My agenda is just the facts, that is all. You want to go with political hacks, I go with they see the system is broken. They are willing outside their profession to give an honest opinion. Something no political party is going to give. But if you feel I have some kind of "political" agenda Patriot as someone I do appreciate on these boards, then you are incorrect. So if you are saying believe what I'm saying, but not what your eyes read. Not want the overall data shows, then Patriot we will have to disagree on the overall effects of this bill.
Scott is a politician, I expect nothing more or nothing less. This new "flip-flop" doesn't raise or lower my opinion of him. I think it is a better course of action, than the Affordable Healthcare Act.
St. Mary's could lose $11 million in Medicaid payments, industry analysts said. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional/florida-hospitals-oppose-gov-scotts-plan-to-cut-me/nL2KS/ "Florida hospitals said Scott's approach will prove devastating -- especially to urban hospitals, including West Palm Beach's St. Mary's Medical Center and Bethesda Hospital in Boynton Beach, which treat many of the state's poorest residents. St. Mary's could lose $11 million in Medicaid payments, industry analysts said. All told, Scott's proposal would slash almost 40 percent of the $5.2 billion in Medicaid payments to Florida hospitals." Governor Scott does NOT care about the people of Florida unless they own corporations, including so called non-profit hospitals. I will do my very best to make sure that he doesn't get re-elected.
Have you heard of TANSTAAFL? There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch - that applies to EVERY government program
Medicaid Managed care: a poor product but better than nothing. Health care cost in America: Higher per person than any other nation. Life longevity: We are at # 12 or 14. Affordable Care Act: It is only a start to unraveling the complex mess our Health Care system is in. The Blame: lousy politicians making what every other nation says is a public service a profit center stealing 35-40% of our health care dollar. BTW- Medicare=95 % of healthcare dollar goes to care. This makes Medicare the best manager of care. Robbyte
Where do you believe their healthcare comes from now. But instead of paying to treat the initial symptoms we are paying to treat the full blown illiness.