FL legislature leaves 35k in 2 counties without health insurance

Florida lawmakers passed some high-profile bills this year, but one decision threatened to overshadow everything and roil state politics for the foreseeable future: the rejection of expanded health insurance coverage for the poor. The debate over Medicaid expansion divided Republicans, energized Democrats and nearly derailed the 60-day legislative session that ended Friday. House Republicans' decision not to expand the federally subsidized Medicaid program in Florida leaves roughly one million state residents — 35,000 in Sarasota and Manatee counties — without health insurance, and deals a blow to health care providers hoping to boost revenues and reduce charity care.