Senate Passes Resolution Announcing Plans to Address Medicaid

The Florida Senate has passed a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to give the state more flexibility and discretion in administering the Medicaid program within the state. The resolution was passed by acclamation during Tuesday's special session, despite the negative votes of a smattering of senators.

Supporters of the measure cited the need to fix the Medicaid system and reduce its growing portion of the state budget. Those opposed to the measure expressed their worry that the bill would send the wrong message to caregivers and Medicaid recipients. The measure is a nonbinding resolution that does not oblige the Legislature to take any course of action or spend any money.

"We talked to Medicaid patients, we talked to providers, we talked to local government leaders. What we came away with was an irreconcilable conclusion that Medicaid is broken," Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said."Medicaid is growing twice as fast as any other part of the budget," he added.

There was at least one Republican who bucked the party line and urged senators to vote against the measure. Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, complained that a part of the resolution expressed the intent of the Legislature to integrate Medicaid into a statewide managed-care system, essentially pushing recipients to HMOs.

"That sounds like managed care, am I wrong on that?" Fasano asked Negron.

"Saying that they're going to be in HMOs is not what the (resolution) says," Negron responded.

Legislators will convene a meeting Wednesday to discuss Medicaid reform.