Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is sharply criticizing a measure that she says would derail an ongoing lawsuit alleging Medicaid fraud.
Bondi on Wednesday personally testified against a bill (HB 421) proposed by a Panama City Republican. Bondi called the measure sponsored by Rep. Jay Trumbull an "end run'' and a "desperate attempt'' to help companies that provide laboratory testing for the state's safety net health care program. Bondi's office has alleged that the companies are overcharging the state.
A lobbyist for one of the testing companies told a House panel that Bondi's criticisms were not based on "facts.''
But Bondi asserted that the bill could wind up costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. California in 2011 reached settlements totaling nearly $300 million with the two companies.
After Bondi testified, the House committee delayed a vote on the bill.
