House Backs Away From Medicaid Premiums Proposal

The House on Tuesday backed away from a proposal that sought to require Medicaid beneficiaries to pay monthly premiums.

A wide-ranging Medicaid bill (HB 7117) included a proposal that would have directed the state Agency for Health Care Administration to seek federal approval to charge premiums of $10 or $15 a month, depending on the beneficiaries' income levels.

But when the bill came up on the House floor Tuesday, lawmakers with little discussion approved an amendment by Rep. Nicholas Duran, D-Miami, to eliminate the premiums proposal.

The revised bill, sponsored by Health & Human Services Chairman Travis Cummings, R-Orange Park, could be approved by the House as soon as Wednesday. It continues to include a proposal that calls for seeking federal approval of work-related requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries.

For more, visit Health News Florida.