FL Senate Rejects Medicaid Expansion

FL Senate Rejects Medicaid Expansion

TALLAHASSEE—A Florida Senate committee voted Monday against Medicaid expansion, joining the House in rejecting Gov. Rick Scott's proposal for a three-year trial covered entirely by federal funding.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said Florida should pursue a program that is stronger than Medicaid, which he described as flawed and costly.

"Why in the world would we take the federal government's position when they promise that they'll pay for Medicaid expansion when we know that they will be unable to keep that promise in the long run?" Brandes said.

The conversation now turns to what Florida can do for roughly 1 million uninsured people who will still draw down billions of federal dollars.