On Wednesday, state Sen. Joe Negron, R-Palm City, questioned Gov. Rick Scottâs budget staff about the priorities of a proposal that would provide additional funding to the stateâs Medicaid program while slashing spending on education.
This morning, Negron said he would introduce a Medicaid reform bill next week seeking âimmediate savingsâ on the program that provides medical care to the needy.
Members of Scottâs staff have said their plan allows the state a year to seek a federal waiver and shift the program to a managed-care model that would make private providers responsible for holding down costs, which would be up and running in 2012.
Negron acknowledged that reform would take some time to phase-in, but said budget cuts couldnât wait another year.
The Senate will hold a Medicaid presentation in its chambers on Tuesday when some details of the reform plan will be announced. Negron said he plans to discuss the reform bill when the Health Appropriations panel he oversees meets the following Thursday.
