Florida Gov. Rick Scott is blaming rising Medicaid expanses on President Obama’s health law, even though the state’s top economist said the two are not related.
State economists estimated Tuesday that the Medicaid program will cost $577 million more in 2015-2016. That comes as health insurers are seeking a $400 million raise and a 12 percent rate increase. But The Republican governor strongly opposes pumping additional state funds into Medicaid and was not happy when state lawmakers recently invested $400 million.
In a letter Tuesday, Scott warned that health care costs are spiraling out of control. But state economists Amy Baker and others at Tuesday’s budget meeting said the Affordable Care Act was not related to the issues discussed at the conference.
The Medicaid program is finishing its first year under a new managed care structure that Scott fought vigorously for, arguing it would save the state money. But as the program seems in desperate need of additional funding, Scott is blaming the insurance companies and hospitals.
Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
