
Medicaid Reform Passes Senate, Heads to House
A revamp of Florida's Medicaid program is closer to becoming law after the state Senate passed a reform package that moves Medicaid recipients into managed-care plans. The bill now heads to the House, which is expected to pass it on the final day of the legislative session and send it to Gov. Rick Scott's desk.
Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, who moved the bill through the Senate, touted the final work product that is believed to help institute cost-controls on a program that is taking up nearly 30 percent of the state budget.
"We have very strict controls in place but I think we should look at Medicaid more in an entrepreneurial way rather than a top down approach where we are the government, this is the way you will do it," Negron said.
Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, praised Negron and the reform package.
"Undertaking a challenge as large as our states plan for Medicaid reform is no easy task, and Senator Negron has managed the entire process both practically and considerately. I want to thank him for the focus and energy he dedicated to this project from its inception.
An open dialogue, which started with a statewide tour last summer to meet with Medicaid recipients and their families, as well as health care professionals, contributed to a plan that will help transform the current system into one that is more sustainable and patient-centered.
Medicaid reform has remained one of the Senates biggest priorities this year due to its impact on the states budget and on the millions of Floridians who depend on the program for health-care services," Gardiner said.
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