Feds back change to trim Medicaid costs

Despite fears that the move could cut access to health care for poor residents, Florida has won approval from the federal government for a change that will let the state reduce how much it spends on Medicaid. The change in how the state administers the safety-net program was approved by federal officials Friday and takes effect Feb. 1. It allows the state to trim money it spends on people when they initially become eligible for Medicaid.