As lawmakers consider a return to Tallahassee as early as next month for a proposed special session on economic issues resulting from the Gulf oil spill, an unrelated but as yet unresolved Medicaid budget issue still looms over the state budget.
Congress this past week failed again to take any action on extending enhanced federal Medicaid payments to states, known as FMAP, beyond December 2010.
Washington insiders are now saying the chances appear unlikely that the extra money will be approved before Congress’ August recess.
Florida desperately needs the money – about $1 billion in expenditures and reserves in the current budget is contingent on the extension of the Medicaid money.
The News Service of Florida
