AFP-FL, the Florida-based branch of the pro-industry advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, has taken to the Florida television airwaves to make its case against a plan in the Senate that would draw down federal Medicaid dollars to expand coverage throughout the state.
“At some point, the Senate is going to have to recognize that Floridians do not want more federally run healthcare,” said AFP-FL state director Chris Hudson in a voiceover featured in prominently in the ad.
“Their plan will force a massive regulatory burden and even bigger financial drain on the state,” Hudson goes on. “Even worse? Their plan does nothing to ensure Floridians get the care they deserve. The Senate should be working with the House and Governor Scott to hold the federal government accountable, and refocus on what they were elected to do – balance the budget.”
The move comes at the same time another pro-business group — the Florida Chamber of Commerce, who earlier was thought to be more open to some form of extending Medicaid coverage — has also made their opposition to the Senate’s so-called “FHIX” plan publicly known.
Referencing the Legislature’s precarious budgetary posture at the moment, which many now say will likely lead to lawmakers re-convening before a constitutional July 1 deadline in a special session, the AFP-FL ad chides the Senate for allegedly misplaced priorities.
They say Gov. Rick Scott‘s “No Tax is Safe” tax cut package supported by the House ought to take precedence over extending access to health care.
“Florida will have to keep the lights on at the Capitol a little longer as session will continue past the 60-day mark,” says Hudson in the 30-second spot. “By choosing to play politics, the Senate is going to kill a 690-million-dollar tax cut package. The state should be balancing the budget and leaving dollars in the pockets of Floridians for them to use the way they see fit.”
