Despite the hostility of Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-controlled Legislature to the federal health care reform law, Florida organizations have received $119.6 million in funds from it over the last two years. A new study shows that money largely went to nongovernmental groups to fund essential health services while the state lost out on tens of millions because of the governor's opposition. So while private groups prepare, Tallahassee fiddles.
One of those missed opportunities is the money that flowed to states that started developing their own state-based health insurance exchanges. Scott's decision not to prepare for 2014, when the state exchanges are fully operational, likely means the federal government will have to establish Affordable Insurance Exchanges for Floridians instead.
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The point of states developing their own exchange is to allow for flexibility and innovation, giving each state the opportunity to meet the needs of its own residents. But Scott is intent on having Florida watch from the sidelines, even as other states with Republican governors such as Alabama prepare. Alabama received more than $8.5 million in federal exchange establishment grants after an exchange study commission, created by the Republican governor who opposes the federal law, issued recommendations for implementation.
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/floridas-missed-opportunities-to-improve-health-care/1215293
Hat tip: Tampa Bay Times
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