Florida legislature approves Medicaid overhaul [View All]

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec 9 (Reuters) - Florida lawmakers approved a sweeping Medicaid reform package that will push the vast majority of the state's 2.2 million Medicaid recipients into managed care plans over the next few years.

Following hours of debate during a week-long special legislative session, lawmakers on Thursday approved the measure, aimed at slowing the growth of a $15 billion federal-state program that provides medical care to Florida's low-income residents.

The measure passed the Senate on a 26-14 vote. The House later passed it 87-31. Voting was largely along party lines, with Republicans in favor of the plan backed by Republican Gov. Jeb Bush and Democrats opposed.

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Lawmakers approved the Medicaid measure over the objections of many Democrats and health care providers who said the state should move more cautiously in its plan to move most Medicaid recipients from traditional fee-for-service plans by 2011.

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