Yes, I agree Florida should expand the Medicaid program. However, the only reason Governor Scott has flip-flopped is his desire for votes in the next election. Were it not for his aspirations of re-election, he would never have adopted this stance.

hes only trying to win back voters he already alienated . Aint gonna work , we're done with him.

It'll work. It's not going to cost Fla a dime while Scott is Governor. Come 2016 and the Obama reign is done, hopefully so will Obama Care. The House may survive and will STOP Obama from turning us into a socialist society. So let Obama spend more of OUR money on the State of Florida, money we don't have, but who cares. Florida isn't losing out as the Federal Government is going to provide the extra costs of medicaid. Take it whie you can as long as Obama is giving it away why not take it. Florida will worry about 2016 in 2016, if there's reason to worry. Things may get fixed or by then will be completely out of control by then and it won't even matter. Smart move by Scott, he's got nothing to lose and it still needs to be approved by the lawmakers anyway.

Good move by a man desperate for re-election. It's amazing how this ex-Tea Party darling has flip-flopped (education funding, voting procedures, now health care). He's gotten a taste of politics and will now sell his soul to be returned to the governor's mansion.

Mr One and Done is desparate to make it look like he "cares"..what compassion after his reign of terror he suddenly has come to his senses???....NOT he knows dang well the TEA Legislature will never pass it...he will be so dissappinted....BRB got to open the window and let the pigs fly out....

Governor Scott blew it. He's making the classic mistake of buying a baby elephant--the Feds will pick up the huge increase in the Medicare tab for the first three years; eventually, as the costs mount to the skies, it will become another in a long line of underfunded mandates that the taxpayers of this state will have to pay for. The Gov thinks he's being smart by negotiating an opt out clause but, as the WSJ pointed out today, there are several ways in which the Feds can override a states' desirre to back out of an agreement once it becomes apparent that a bad deal was made. Politically it's a lose-lose for the Gov; he has now alienated the Tea Party, and will lose voters from the right, while the left won't give him credit for his change--they've already decided to vote him out and this won't change their minds. He'll get no credit and all the blame when this thing blows up. Have to hand it to Obama; he's getting the camel's nose under the tent in more and more Red states, taking advantage of the typical politician's lust for re-election. I guess my biggest disappointment is that I thought Scott was different; now I see that he's just another career politician. Charlie Crist must be licking his chops.....

Though I think the AffordableHealthCare Act is a poorly written piece of legislature. I do enjoy seeing all the people who haven't truly read it and only listen to the talking heads talk about it and call it Obamacare. When Romeny did more to write this bill than Obama did. Obamacare is what a lobbyst for the healthcare industry called it before it even was starting to be written, in a journal. Then Romney used it to campaign on starting in 2007 (shows how easily led we are). It just shows again the actual knowledge of the people who are voting. They don't blame the Republican Majority in Congress who passed the bill, or the Republican Senate that also passed the bill. Or Supreme Court who said it was legal. But only 1/3 of the broken process, because of the talking heads that told them who to blame. Not Dingel, Rangel, Waxman, Miller, Stark, Pallone Jr. or Andrews... aka the actual people who presented the bill. Or their staffs and lobbysts who wrote the bill. Nooooo... that would be too factually accurate to do that. But I know it's easier to listen to the talking heads, who are stealling your money and telling you who to hate and how to feel. How is this for a novel idea, actually pick up the 2000 page bill, actually take a look at what is inside. Most people complaining about the bill, are complaining about things that aren't in the bill.
As far as Scott, as I've said before Not the best and not the worst. Just another Politican.

You know, I am glad this is happening so people can get healthy- I have great ins., but know way too many hard working folks who do not have the benefits and they suffer, physically emotionally etc. you cold-hearted people who only think about money-- God is waiting for you, and you can't buy Him off,,,.... as far as expense, sick people do not work, or pay taxes and need to be taken care of, fed and housed, and sometimes even at higher costs as they let illness get way out of hand,, so guess what?? your taxes still paying for it, and not to mention the bankruptcies and foreclosures of folks who got ill and lost all. ADD the costs, you simply are mean and want folks to SUFFER,,, children too. Think of how many teens take care of sick parents, how many single moms carry the kids and the old people too, just stop,,, taxes are NOT only for your benefit. best think how much money you think you will take with you. when it is your time.

charlie christ all over, good luck scott

Do you mean Obama dont'care? or whocares? as far I see 11 Million more un-documented ilegal inmigrants plus once they get their citizenshp will be another 44 million more in line for the Obama care or he dosn't care. sorry my math

I wish Rick Scott could actually have real convictions and opinions instead of flipping to win an election. Scott should've stood with a lot of the other states fighting Obamacare on 10th amendment grounds. We all want to make sure people get cared for, it's how we go about it.

Nothing this governor does surprises me. He only is concerned with staying in the governors mansion and will break promises to stay there.

Stupid people, racist people.... just what Florida is famous for. This deal that Scott wants to take is a GOOD DEAL for Florida. You hate Obamacare but I'll bet dollars to doughnuts you have no clue what is in it.... You completely IGNORE that the CBO says this law will save money... Stupid, ignorant people all.... teabaggers all, know-nothings all.

He's like all Republican First Me, Second Me and Third Me. I agree with a post "only trying to win back voters he already alienated gonna. We do not need another Republican we're done with them

I am so glad he is going ahead with it. Our poorer residents need it. I do agree that Scott is only doing it to try to regain the governor's nomination next term. I also think that is why he is courting teachers now.

Phil Ryan- Why are you so full of hate? Is your significant other not offering you any tea bags lately? If we want pro Obama propaganda we'll just tune in Pravda MSNBC like you do to get your "facts". You can regurgitate everything that dingbat Pelosi tells you, I'll take the word of the many healthcare professionals I know who tell me it's a train wreck who's true impact is still not fully known. If the true intent was to insure everyone they could have simply let citizens buy into medicare early four years ago but there was no political victory in that. Instead we get we get a bureaucratic monstrosity which creates many new agencies to control it and makes the IRS probably the worst run government agency as the gatekeepers.

It's astonishing how few facts get igonred in this debate. First, Florida was and is shipping tax dollars to Washington--more than it gets back. This is an opportunity to get some additional tax money back and benefit 3.8 million of our poorest citzens, to boot. On the other side of the Flop-Scott decision, people seem to miss that he only flipped when he got a waiver allowing him to--guess what???--PRIVATIZE the entire Florida Medicaid system, new enrollees, old enrollees, and all, shoving them all into HMO's where Republican moguls--just like former-healthcare-owner-Scott--can rake in money from the Feds. Not a single study has shown that these so-called "advantage plans" do anything except build in a layer of profit: no improvement in services; higher cost. The plain fact is that the government-managed portion of Medicare is the cheapest plan when it comes to administrative overhead and costs. Scott got what he wanted: more privatization, more bucks for Republican firms (remember that the Frists, Scott, Romney--ALL made huge money in HMO's dealing with Medicare.

I'll defy anyone to find the actual source of the "But my favorite is from Obama himself when asked if an elderly woman that needs an expensive treatment for an illness, and Obama replies, we would do well to make her comfortable and use the money for a more viable patient." Pure fiction.

Steve! what do I win? Got to love the LIV people! http://youtu.be/rin4h4cRs6Y However, for precise, and concise explanation of the OBAMAdeathbill. I prefer this http://youtu.be/f19HjjDjbNk By the way LIV = Low Information Voters!

We're not that stupid and we have long memories. He padded his cronies pockets and screwed the people of Florida for the first 2 years and now he's thinking about re-election and assuming we're stupid. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on the morons who vote for this poor example of a human being twice.

He's doing the right thing but only because he's looked at his polls. For instance, he realized he's alienated the 450,000 teachers in the state and that teachers are very likely to vote (esp. next election!) So he's thrown them a bone of a raise. Now he's figured out that *everyone* votes, so "Pink Slip Rick" has turned into "Appeasement Rick." It won't work, because he keeps doing boneheaded things and then trying to mop up afterwards -- and way too late.

He claimed he was going to create 4 million jobs in Florida. Hasn't happened yet, but I certainly know teachers who have been fired for lack of funds, as well as state workers.

How much did he spend on all those junkets overseas that didn't result in any new jobs?

Hope there's money in there for mental illness.

Gail Perry-
Many of the things you describe were also done by your Messiah Obama but I'm sure you'll never see it that way. Politicians flip flop all the time in fact our President has done it so much his nickname should be Mackerel. Scott can't win with you lefties, you hate him when he does something wrong and hate him even more when he does something right for whatever reason. Do you agree with that ignorant woman on the school board (who makes a lot moe than teachers make) who said the teachers should not accept the $2500 becuase she didn't like the reason he was doing it? Should Scott not expand medicaid because you think he's only doing it for political reasons?

JR : You're funny....Nevertheless you make a lot of sense.

It's about time he did SOMETHING right! Too little too late to get people to like him though. Now we have to watch out for the tea party fools in Tallahassee to go along with it.

Nothing would convince me that Scott has changed his mind because he all of a sudden cares for Florida's poor and medically needy. The real reason is much more in line with where his heart is, ie the millions of dollars that will be lost by his buddies at the state's hospitals. Here's just one article published in a local Palm Beach paper in December:
St. Mary's could lose $11 million in Medicaid payments, industry analysts said.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional/florida-hospitals-oppose-gov-scotts-plan-to-cut-me/nL2KS/

"Florida hospitals said Scott's approach will prove devastating -- especially to urban hospitals, including West Palm Beach's St. Mary's Medical Center and Bethesda Hospital in Boynton Beach, which treat many of the state's poorest residents. St. Mary's could lose $11 million in Medicaid payments, industry analysts said. All told, Scott's proposal would slash almost 40 percent of the $5.2 billion in Medicaid payments to Florida hospitals."

Governor Scott does NOT care about the people of Florida unless they own corporations, including so called non-profit hospitals. I will do my very best to make sure that he doesn't get re-elected.

I see Scott's point of flip flopping since it'll be no cost to the state for the first few years. It's a win win for him since nothing is coming out of the states pocket, and more people will supposedly be covered by the feds. In reality it's a lose lose for everyone in the long run. The federal government is already bankrupt so all we're really doing is dumping more debt on all of us. And what's going to happen in a few years when the state is suppost to start picking up the tab? Do you actually think that's going to happen? Highly doubt it. What we'll probably see is the state dropping the expanded coverage and people losing those additional benefits.

don't forget where the federal money comes from - OUR federal taxes - gov scott is taking money out of our pockets by way of Obama
Have you heard of TANSTAAFL? There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch - that applies to EVERY government program

I believe Gov. Scott flipped because of the political pressure he was getting from hospitals, however I wish he would have stood his ground and continued to say No. The working citizens of FL will have to pay up, it's just a matter of now or later. Steve B above mentioned that in 2016 Obama will be gone and Obamacare repealed...I truly hope your right, but as of right now it's a 100% chance that we will have to pay it back and that doesn't make me happy.

Scott: wants more votes.
Medicaid Managed care: a poor product but better than nothing.
Health care cost in America: Higher per person than any other nation. Life longevity: We are at # 12 or 14.
Affordable Care Act: It is only a start to unraveling the complex mess our Health Care system is in.
The Blame: lousy politicians making what every other nation says is a public service a profit center stealing 35-40% of our health care dollar. BTW- Medicare=95 % of healthcare dollar goes to care. This makes Medicare the best manager of care.
Robbyte

It appears its a political move on Scotts part as he seeks re-election and its sad that people in leadership do not have a backbone to stand up for the majority instead of the minority. We need to get rid of the Fraud first and then expand to the people who really need this assistance. I am for helping those who legitimately need this help. We are and aging state and many people depend on government programs but until the 'FRAUD' is elminitated I am not in favor of making any kinds of expansion. It could only result in higher taxes and even a State Tax in the future to pay for this program expansion.

My concern is if the Democrats do not want to personally have it, then what good is it?