Feds Say Florida Could Get $1B For Low Income Pool
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - A top federal official told Florida it can likely expect $1 billion in the budget year, that begins July 1, for a key health-care program known as the Low Income Pool, according to a letter dated Thursday.
The $1 billion would amount to about half of the amount the state currently receives.
"We note that this level of funding for the LIP, coupled with the options the state may elect at its discretion described in this letter, would enable Florida to retain Medicaid investment in the state at or above the current $2.16 billion level of LIP funding,'' said the letter from Vikki Wachino, director of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The amount means Florida lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott may have to accept Medicaid expansion under Obamacare, or dip into other programs or state hospitals will get less money.
"The News Service of Florida contributed to this report."
