Broward County Medicaid patients begged state health officials not expand a privatization program they say failed miserably in their county.
State health officials held meetings across Florida this week after the Republican-led Legislature passed historic Medicaid bills placing the care of nearly 3 million beneficiaries in the hands of
private companies and hospital networks. Supporters say they have revamped the program to include more oversight.
Lawmakers said Medicaid's roughly $21 billion annual costs are overwhelming the state budget.
Local
Federal health officials still have to sign off on the proposal.
Critics worry the state is abdicating care of its most vulnerable residents to for-profit companies with little oversight of whether the money is being spent on patient care or administrative costs.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
