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Gov. Scott hopes he can twist some arms and get what he needs in health care

House Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

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.

James Williams: Jim Williams is the Washington Bureau Chief, Digital Director as well as the Director of Special Projects for Genesis Communications. He is starting his third year as part of the team. This is Williams 40th year in the media business, and in that time he has served in a number of capacities. He is a seven time Emmy Award winning television producer, director, writer and executive. He has developed four regional sports networks, directed over 2,000 live sporting events including basketball, football, baseball hockey, soccer and even polo to name a few sports. Major events include three Olympic Games, two World Cups, two World Series, six NBA Playoffs, four Stanley Cup Playoffs, four NCAA Men’s National Basketball Championship Tournaments (March Madness), two Super Bowl and over a dozen college bowl games. On the entertainment side Williams was involved s and directed over 500 concerts for Showtime, Pay Per View and MTV Networks.
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