Feds To Scott: Expand Medicaid If You Want Hospital Funds
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida health officials want Florida's Medicaid program to be expanded before they grant Florida Governor Rick Scott's push for funding to help hospitals treat low-income patients.
Scott, however, is refusing and with neither side backing down, that could lead to the Legislature failing to pass a budget before the scheduled end of its annual session May 1st.
Scott himself has blamed the federal government for curtailing negotiations with the state. He said the stalemate over hospital funding is why the state should not accept federal money to expand Medicaid.
Meanwhile, emails obtained by The Associated Press show that the state has had at least two conversations with the feds this month, even though the state has repeatedly blamed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for halting negotiations.
The letter, first obtained by AP, reminded the state they had a year to come up with an alternative and says they're ready to discuss next steps.
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