Governor Scott in DC to Discuss Health Care Law
Monday, January 7, 2013
By: Tom Parkinson

January 7, 2013 | WMFE - Gov. Rick Scott is Washington today meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to discuss implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Governor Scott has been a vocal critic of "Obamacare" but he softened his stance after the November election saying he was willing to work with federal officials.

Recently however, he has expressed concerns about the potential cost to Florida taxpayers of the health care overhaul.

Florida must decide whether to expand its Medicaid rolls which could extend coverage to more than 900,000 low-income residents.

The state must also decide how to operate the health insurance exchange. The exchange is an online marketplace where residents and small businesses can shop for health insurance.

Florida has several options, it can choose to run the exchange, partner with private business to operate it or turn it over to the federal government.

In 2012, Florida's Medicaid program provided health care to more than 3.3 million residents. Scott says that number could double under the new federal law and cost Florida taxpayers more than $63 billion dollars over the next decade.