Senate Budget Committee Moves Medicaid Cuts Proposal

In a largely partisan vote, Medicaid reforms would eliminate funds for Florida's "medically needy" program, which provides care for people who would otherwise not qualify for Medicaid but whose medical needs create a significant financial strain.

Two Republicans -- Sens. Thad Altman of Melbourne and Mike Fasano of New Port Richey -- joined five Democrats in voting against the measure, as it passed the Senate Budget Committee. Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando was the only Democrat to vote for the Medicaid savings.

Legislators have targeted Medicaid for cuts, as well as overall reforms, since the program takes up nearly 30 percent of the state budget and is slated to grow in future years.

Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, led the fight on the bill, and said that while he lamented important cuts, the state's $3.8 billion budget deficit means the cuts must fall somewhere.

"We can't fund everything in that budget. Even though we're doing good things in our budget, there are no easy solutions," Negron said.

Democrats predictably called for the closing of tax loopholes in order to fund the "medically needy" program, but Altman also raised the idea of spending matching funds to garner federal Medicaid dollars to keep the program afloat.

Budget Committee Chairman Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, took umbrage at the suggestion.

"You voted against the retirement bill (pension reforms), Senator Altman. I don't know where you think all this money is coming from," Alexander said.