Gov. Rick Scott-- the man who spent his own money traveling the country in an effort to stop health care reform-- has announced he is actually going to work with the federal government to implement the health care reform law in Florida.
Since the 2010 health care law was passed, Florida officials and Scott have dragged their feet in implementing the health care law here. They have even turned away millions of dollars allocated through the law that would go to programs that help low-income women and children.
However, things have since changed.
One, President Obama was re-elected, which basically removes any probability that the law will be repealed. Two, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law. Three, every attempt by state officials to stop the law's implementation, including Amendment One, has been unsuccessful.
Now, Scott is looking to work with the federal government, since the law is evermore a reality in Florida.
Scott said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press that he now wants to negotiate with the federal government. He said it’s time for Republicans to offer solutions to help families after they lost their bid to defeat President Barack Obama. “The election is over and President Obama won,” Scott said. “I’m responsible for the families of Florida ... If I can get to yes, I want to get to yes.” Scott had previously stated that he would not go along with any parts of the health care overhaul that the state controls. But his newfound willingness to have a “conversation” about putting it in place in Florida comes at a critical time.
States are on a time crunch to prove to the federal government that they are going to create a state-based digital marketplace where consumers can shop around for health insurance, which is part of the health care law.
Originally, states had less time to do this, but the federal government recently issued an extension of the deadline for states to let the feds know they are going to work on this. The new extension is December 14, 2012-- exactly a month away.
