Florida governor could veto money for Miami hospital

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's office is telling Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to participate in a new healthcare project or risk a $20 million budget veto, according to the Florida House leader and sources familiar with the conversations. Faced with the hint of losing money in a mean budget year, the hospitals have spread the word that they're ready to negotiate with Crist over his "hospital emergency-room diversion program." The program could help spread Crist's new plan to offer low-cost health insurance, and would also force Jackson to transfer at least $1.2 million in services to the Miami-Dade County Health Department for community disease and healthcare management work.