Scott to seek changes to health care bill

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott will head to Washington next week to meet with members of Congress seeking changes to the Republican health care bill unveiled on Thursday.

Scott put out a statement saying he wants Florida to be treated “equitably” in the bill but didn’t list specific changes he wants to see.

“All states must be treated equitably. Florida taxpayers deserve the same treatment as every other state under the Medicaid program,” Scott stated.

Scott didn’t explicitly come out for or against the bill, but he praised the House when it passed the measure to repeal the Affordable Care Act last month.

A spokeswoman for Scott didn’t return an email seeking comment.

The bill released on Thursday is the Senate’s version. If it passes the Senate, both chambers must then agree on and pass a final bill before it makes it to President Trump’s desk.

The Senate version would reduce taxes imposed under Obamacare and give states flexibility to make changes to Medicaid, like setting up work requirements. Such flexibility has been a major request from Scott and other GOP governors.

But the bill would also reduce federal spending on Medicaid and that could put Florida in a bind. The state spends $26.4 billion on health care, nearly one-third of its budget. Much of that is for Medicaid, and the federal share for the program, which provides health care for the poor, elderly, children and pregnant women who qualify, can be as high as 60 percent.

Any significant permanent reduction in federal Medicaid funds means the state would likely either have to cut back on Medicaid services, increase taxes or cut other services to make up the difference.