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Florida Hospitals On Brink Of Losing $1 Billion In Federal Aid

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida is set to lose more than $1 billion in aid to hospitals around the state if doesn't expand its Medicaid program.

Over the weekend, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell told him her position on the aid is firm.

The aid pays hospitals for providing care to the indigent. It's supposed to end because Obama's health care plan provides indigent care through the Medicaid program.

But the Florida Legislature has refused to accept federal money available under the health care plan for expanding Medicaid. Republican legislators say they don't trust the federal government to pay for the Medicaid coverage.

Meanwhile, the state faces a budget hole if it loses the indigent care aid.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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