Medicaid Privatization – Florida

Lawmakers poised to privatize Medicaid statewide, By Kelli Kennedy (AP), February 28, 2011, Miami Herald: “Jason Rosenstock typically waits six weeks to see a specialist to treat his pituitary disease, a side effect from a childhood brain tumor. The private insurance company managing his care for Medicaid has repeatedly denied his medications, each denial eliciting a mountain of red tape. The 33-year-old and his mother kept a journal of every phone call and e-mail detailing their fight the past few years as Rosenstock has been bounced between three different health plans. Rosenstock lives in Broward County, the largest of five counties participating in a 2006 pilot program implemented under former Gov. Jeb Bush that puts Medicaid recipients into privately managed care. Gov. Rick Scott and Republican lawmakers want to expand the program statewide during the upcoming legislative session, which begins March 8. Lawmakers say Florida must overhaul Medicaid or its rising costs, which are expected to top $21 billion next year, will overwhelm the budget. The program has nearly 3 million low-income and disabled residents, with the federal government paying more than half the bill. The state is trying to eliminate a $3.6 billion budget deficit…”