We all know that the Senate version of the health care bill has been put off until the July 4th is over. There are changes needed from both the far right and from more moderate members of the GOP Senate. The governors nationwide are key to making this new proposed legislation work.
That is why Florida Gov. Rick Scott was making the rounds in Washington, D.C. Scott spoke Tuesday with Vice President Pence and other top officials including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
That is a powerful group of friends to have in his corner. But even as powerful as his pals are they still might not be able help the state of Florida.
Gov. Scott, was clear he wanted to see three big changes made in the Senate bill. As a former health care executive and Republican governor wants a guarantee that Florida will not receive less money for Medicaid than other states that expanded the program under the health care overhaul pushed into law by President Barack Obama.
Per reports from multiple sources Gov. Scott also wants greater control over what kind of services that would be offered under Medicaid. Medicaid is the state’s main safety net health care program.
Scott, during an interview with The Associated Press, would not say if he would support the bill without the changes. Clearly, what he wants are in the best interest for the Sunshine State citizens.
But there are a number of battling forces within the Republican Party in the Senate and so this might be the first of many trips to Washington.
As for Sen. Marco Rubio, he remains undecided at the moment as he wants more conversation and more data before he will make the yes vote. He did make a trip to the White House and spoke with President Trump about where the Senate goes from here.
