TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate is moving ahead with a bill that would use federal funds to offer health insurance to nearly one million low-income Floridians.
A Senate panel voted unanimously Tuesday for the legislation even though it remains uncertain if House Republicans will be willing to support it. House leaders remain steadily opposed to any plan that would try to use money associated with President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
Two years ago the Senate crafted a proposal that the House rejected.
This year's version (SPB 7044) would eventually require enrollees to pay premiums. It also includes a requirement that participants work or go to school.
The Senate is pushing the measure because of the state this year could lose federal funds that hospitals are using to care for low-income patients.
