TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers are likely to return home this week without an agreement on meaningful health care reform, despite the early endorsement of Gov. Rick Scott and the pleas of businesses and hospitals. <\/p>\n
With two days remaining in the legislative session, Republicans in the House are no closer to caving on accepting $51 billion in federal health insurance aid. <\/p>\n
Democrats are no closer to being recognized as a legitimate partner in talks. <\/p>\n
And Scott, who bucked many in his party to support a major health care expansion, is no closer to being seen as an effective advocate. <\/p>\n
\"We're no closer than we were the first day,\" Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chris Smith said. <\/p>\n
Senate leaders on Wednesday continued to seek flexibility from federal health officials to craft a plan that House Republicans might stomach. But House Republicans seem more entrenched than ever against accepting federal money, and a proposed compromise reported by the Associated Press was quickly downplayed by leaders in both chambers. <\/p>\n
The decision by House Democrats to protest a lack of a health care compromise has only emboldened Republicans to hold their ground. <\/p>\n
The most likely result nothing gets done. <\/p>\n
\"I think nothing should probably happen this session, and we take a deep breath and come back and work on it,\" said Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine. <\/p>\n
While Scott early on endorsed a plan to expand Medicaid, and subsequently the federally funded alternative offered by the Senate, House leaders always were an impediment. House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, made it clear on Day 1 of the 60-day lawmaking session when he called Medicaid expansion a \"social experiment\" that is doomed to fail. <\/p>\n
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Sides entrenched, health care deal likely dead<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TALLAHASSEE Lawmakers are likely to return home this week without an agreement on meaningful health care reform, despite the early endorsement of Gov. Rick Scott and the pleas of businesses and hospitals Continue reading