Scott describes vision for health care reform

Naples Daily News (FL)

Nov. 16--ORLANDO -- Gov. Rick Scott's vision for health care in Florida after President-elect Donald Trump repeals the Affordable Care Act would be cheaper, high quality and it would make use of the latest technology available.

Scott said during a meeting with Republican governors from around the country that he expects Donald Trump to begin dismantling the Affordable Care Act during his first 30 days in office. He offered no specific details into what would replace President Barack Obama's signature health care overhaul, but he pledged to work with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence on an alternative.

"I will work with President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence to come up with a plan that we can afford that drives down costs," Scott during a Tuesday news conference at the annual Republican Governors Association meeting. "Businesses have to be able to afford to buy it, consumers can buy it, and government will afford to pay for it."

Scott also briefly met with reporters where he mentioned a 2018 run against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, saying it was "an option" after the conclusion of his second and final term.

However, Scott said his focus for the next two years is to be governor.

Scott said his health care plan would make better use of technology like telemedicine, which allows doctors and patients to interact through video conference. State lawmakers will address regulation for telemedicine during next year's legislative session.

Trump's repeal would provide Scott with a chance to assemble a state health care plan without the heavy federal oversight that governs the state's existing Medicaid program.

Florida is one of 18 states that did not expand their Medicaid programs using incentives from the Affordable Care Act. Less federal oversight will make health care cheaper for people who cannot afford it without government assistance, Scott said, and there would also be a safety net program for the state's poorest residents.

"If you leave it to the federal government, they'll have a top-down approach that works the exact same for New Mexico and Florida," Scott said. "It doesn't work that way."

Florida's Medicaid program is managed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Former agency chief of staff Jennifer Ungru said it was too early to ponder what Scott's plan may look like, but it would place a strong emphasis on technology.

"I think it's important to emphasize quality, which is something the governor has mentioned many times," said Ungru, who is also a corporate affairs adviser for the Jones Walker consulting firm in Tallahassee. "I would also think there would be better use of technology than what Medicaid currently offers, things like telemedicine that also cut costs."

Scott and other GOP governors gather every year in November to discuss issues they plan to address with state lawmakers in the following year. This year the governors rejoiced in the Nov. 8 election of New York real estate mogul Trump and Pence, who they knew as governor of Indiana.

Trump's planned repeal of the Affordable Care Act was the top issue discussed during a panel discussion offered as one of two Tuesday public events. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said during the panel the Trump administration may provide the country's 34 Republican state governors with pots of money, known as "block grants," to create health care programs. Scott had also mentioned block grants.

"Now, as we've all heard about Obamacare, people are finding out they cost too much," Walker said. "Give us the money and let us decide what to do."

Trump's repeal of the Affordable Care Act could also affect Florida residents -- roughly 1.6 million as of March -- who bought insurance policies through federal exchanges created by the federal law. The fate of people with those plans will be decided by Congress.

"Since it's the law people will be able to enroll, but that doesn't mean the law will change," New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said. "I don't' think there will be a turn-off-the-switch, bring-in-the-curtain change, but there will be time for transition."

Scott promised to move after Trump's repeal at a speed "like business."

"We're going to go as fast as the federal government can go," Scott said. "I used to say in business, I will never slow you down. I will work day and night to get all of my stuff done as soon as possible. Especially with the federal government -- we will move as fast as they can move."

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