Letter to Rick Scott, Governor of Florida - Florida Democrats Urge Governor Scott to Abandon Wasteful and Counterproductive Lawsuit

Letter

The Honorable Rick Scott
Governor of Florida
Plaza 05, The Capitol
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Dear Governor Scott:

We are concerned that you intend to take Florida down a wasteful and counterproductive path with a frivolous and baseless lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services while only two weeks remains in the Florida legislative session and the state budget still hangs in the balance. Filing this lawsuit will not bring a timely resolution to negotiations over the expiring Low-Income Pool, which the state has known about for a year. Nor will it help Florida's hardworking families gain access to the basic health coverage they need and deserve.

Instead of wasting taxpayer money on a legal battle, we urge you to seize this opportunity to bring $6 billion a year in Florida taxpayer dollars back to Florida for the more cost-effective and efficient expansion of Medicaid. A broad consensus of hospitals, businesses, patient advocates, Republicans, and Democrats is encouraging you to do so. Expansion provides a more streamlined and advantageous way to cover Floridians who currently lack access to coverage, such as students and low-wage workers, and in doing so would create thousands of jobs and boost the Florida economy.

No matter who resides in the White House, or whose name is attached to the health reform law, Medicaid expansion is right for Florida; right for our businesses, our hospitals, our families, and our most vulnerable neighbors. We urge you to put politics aside and work with the CMS to develop a plan that is right for Florida families and businesses.