No Medicaid decision from Fla. Legislature

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida Democratic leaders want Republican Gov. Rick Scott to veto the state budget or call a special session after the Legislature adjourned without passing an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program.

House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston said some low-income Floridians are not benefiting from the budget.

In an unusual alliance, Scott, Senate Republicans, Democrats, Florida hospitals, health advocates and a diverse mix of business and labor groups all supported a bill that would have drawn down more than $50 billion from the federal government over the next decade. That would have allowed an estimated 1.1 million low-income Floridians to purchase private insurance.

But leaders in the GOP-led Florida House refused to consider that proposal, saying they didn’t want to take funds tied to President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Florida lawmakers adjourned their legislative session Friday night.

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