Scott's On An Island All Alone on Medicaid Expansion
Governor Rick Scott may have announced his support yesterday for ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion, but his position doesn’t have support of the others in his party. For that matter, a poll released by the non-profit, non-partisan James Madison Institute showed that a majority of Floridians don’t agree with Scott’s position and oppose expansion.
Here’s what others have been saying since Scott’s announcement:
House Speaker Will Weatherford
“The Florida Legislature will make the ultimate decision. I am personally skeptical that this inflexible law will improve the quality of health care in our state and ensure our long-term financial stability.” (Source)
“The money is coming from a government that is having problems balancing its own budget every year – they’re about to have a debt-ceiling debate in the coming days to determine if they can pay their bills.” (Source)
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Don Gaetz, Senate President
“If we expand Medicaid as the Governor has recommended one out of every four Floridians would be on Medicaid. That’s a rather substantial dependence of our citizenry on the tax payers for healthcare.” (Source)
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FL Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater
“Will Florida place a portion of the uninsured into a Medicaid system that is wrought with fraud, often produces substandard medical outcomes, puts doctors in a bait-and-switch trap that only funds higher reimbursement rates for their services for less than 18 months, and puts Florida taxpayers on the hook for billions of dollars in new costs in the out years?Floridians deserve better than a plan to double down on a system awash in fraud, that raises costs on everyone, burdens small businesses and yanks the rug out from under doctors.” (Source)
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FL Attorney General Pam Bondi
“I am opposed to this dramatic expansion of Medicaid, because of the ultimate cost to Florida’s taxpayers and because I don’t think our state should surrender even more control over health care to the federal government.” (Source)
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Adam Putnam, FL Commissioner of Agriculture
“It’s extremely disappointing to learn that Florida may take on billions in additional costs to taxpayers by expanding Medicaid coverage. With over three million Floridians already enrolled in Medicaid, Florida cannot afford to foot the bill for millions more. We will not be able to undo the expansion of Medicaid after enrollment has exploded and the federal government begins to shift the cost to the states. Over the next ten years, Florida taxpayers will be forced to pay more than $5 billion to cover the cost of Medicaid expansion. The expansion of Medicaid is not an investment in our future, does not create jobs and does not strengthen our infrastructure. Furthermore, it is not free.” (Source)
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Jeb Bush, Former FL Governor
Told Legislators that rejecting Medicaid expansion was good policy and to oppose expansion. (Source)
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Rep. Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland), Appropriations Chair
“I remain skeptical that (medicaid expansion’s) in the best interests of the state.” (Source: News Service of Florida)
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Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Naples), Health Care Appropriations Chair, Via Facebook
“Today in Tally- The Governor announced that he will expand medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. I do NOT support his position and believe that the Florida House will make its decisions based upon the results of our Select Committee on the Affordable Care Act. We will act in a principled manner rooted in fact.”
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Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), via Twitter
“Disappointed to read (Scott’s) comments on Medicaid expansion. A blank federal check isn’t the answer, we need real reform.” (Source: News Service of Florida)
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar)
“The only reason to expand Medicaid would be if one believes Medicaid is in fact a good system for the delivery of health care services. I believe it’s a very flawed system, and I prefer to think about ways to get people off of Medicaid than to get more people on it.” (Source)
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Governor Rick Perry, TX Governor via spokesman
“The governor’s position has not changed,” his spokeswoman Lucy Nashed said on Wednesday night. “It would be irresponsible to add more Texans and dump more taxpayer dollars into an unsustainable system that is broken and already consumes a quarter of our budget.” (Source)
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