Bill Nelson: “it is our duty to ensure that folks--our folks, the people in our States--have access to care without having to go into…”

“it is our duty to ensure that folks--our folks, the people in our States--have access to care without having to go into debt to obtain that care. The State of Florida is attempting to take that away. In doing so, it is attempting to wipe out many families' pocketbooks and increase the strain on the healthcare providers--the doctors, the nurses, the hospitals--and all Florida taxpayers, who ultimately, on uncompensated care, are the ones who pick up the bill. The State of Florida claims that this proposal will ``enhance fiscal predictability.'' That begs the question: For whom? If the State really wanted to secure greater financial security, it would expand Medicaid and accept the $66 billion of our Florida financial taxpayer money sitting on the shelf, which Floridians have already paid for with their tax dollars, and provide healthcare for up to 800,000 Floridians who don't have it now. Perhaps what is even more troubling is that the letter accompanying the State of Florida's request stated that the agency--get this--``was not aware of any concern or opposition raised by any member of either party regarding this provision during extensive budget debate.'' So now not only is the State of Florida trying to harm thousands of Floridians, including many of our seniors and veterans--by the way, veterans are on the Medicaid Program as well. Don't forget that.…”