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Gov. Rick Scott Approves $35M To Help Jackson Hospital

MIAMI - (CBSMiami.com) - Gov. Rick Scott said he will now support releasing $35 million in state funding to help the Jackson Health System – an amount needed to get through the summer months, CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald reported.

Jackson's CEO Carlos Migoya landed inTallahasseeon Friday to meet with Scott to lobby for the funds. Scott had initially objected to releasing the money until the hospital presented a viable plan that would address ways of reducing losses.

Migoya characterized Scott as "helpful" and "even mentioning leaders in the healthcare business who could give me advice."

The $35 million to helpJacksonwas approved last year by the State Legislature. But the money would not be released unless certain conditions were met including offering a detailed plan on maximizing the hospital's efficiency.

Scott sent a letter to the president of the Senate Mike Haridopolos on Friday saying Jackson had fulfilled the requirements and asked that lawmakers to sign off on the release of funds.

But that will have to wait. The earliest the Legislative Budget Committee can meet is the week of April 25th.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)

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