Governor Rick Scott has become the seventh Republican Governor to signal he’s willing to increase access to Medicaid under the federal healthcare law, and insiders say the state didn’t really have a choice. But how Floridians really feel about the issue is still up in the air, as reflected in two different polls which, depending on which side you’re on, either show support or opposition to the plan.
Shortly after the Governor’s announcement, free-market think tank, The James Madison Institute, released a poll showing more than 60 percent of Floridians opposed the expansion. The group says the state can’t rely on the federal government to keep the funding in place for the expansion.
“The majority of Floridians, 63 percent in fact, were concerned that the federal government would eventually change the program or reduce the amount it reimburses to Florida or add additional expenses to taxpayers," said Institute Spokeswoman Valerie Wickboldt.
Last week the Florida Hospital Association released a poll showing more than 60 percent of Floridians in favor of expanding Medicaid. The poll was done by a Republican-leaning firm and backed up arguments hospitals have been making in favor of the expansion. Groups opposed to the expansion blame that lobbying for swaying the Governor's opinion, but Scott has said he's not bowing political pressure. It’s ultimately up to state lawmakers to decide whether Florida moves forward.
