Florida seeks savings on Medicaid

Last week, lawmakers received grim news that Medicaid could cost the state more than expected in the upcoming year — numbers that provided the backdrop for continuing discussions about how to overhaul the program.

Legislative economist Amy Baker said Florida’s share of the state-federal program could cost some $2.4 billion more in the next budget year than it did last year, an increase of more than $300 million over earlier forecasts.

In addition to increasing health care costs, the program that provides health care to the poor and disabled faces other growing burdens. Demand for its services has risen, fueled by high unemployment, and federal funding for the program is set to decrease.