In the middle of a fight between state lawmakers over health care dollars, Governor Rick Scott has created a Commission on Healthcare and Hospital funding. Scott has outlined 9 things he wants the yet to be named commission study. Gov Scott says, “How do we make sure the dollars are spent well? How do we make sure the costs are as low as we can? How do we make sure citizens have good access to health care, good outcomes from healthcare.”
Fueling the commission is an expected loss of 1 point two billion in federal matching money for hospitals. It covers the cost for people that can’t pay. The loss is triggering a civil war in the legislature. Senate President Andy Gardiner says the commission is inconsequential. “They’re attacking hospitals, in general regarding what they make and don’t make. I think its a bit of a distraction. It really doesn’t address the uninsured problem here in the state of Florida.”
This is not the first time the former hospital executive has wanted to look at costs. Scott named a commission soon after taking office in 2011. Florida Democrats were quick to criticize the latest commission. Democratic Spokesman Joshua Karp said, “So he already tied this idea in 2011, so what viewers need to know is that this Governor has already tried this idea and it didn’t work.”
Scott says he wants the new Commission to make recommendations in time for a special session. That session needs to wrap up by the end of June, or the state won’t have a budget.