Florida Governor Merger Proposal
Florida Governor Charlie Crist presented the idea of merging the Agency for Health Care Administration with the Department of Health in an effort to save money. The idea was met with little enthusiasm, as it was estimated to only save roughly $2 million. Critics of the proposal assert that it would cost more than that just to change the signage on the buildings. The Agency for Health Care Administration handles the state’s Medicaid program (health insurance provided by the state for those who cannot get it on their own), while the Department of Health oversees the licensing of health care professionals. Many of Crist’s recent proposals have been met with little enthusiasm, and he is struggling within the confines of a tight budget and a rapidly changing political scene. How will Florida’s health care system be affected by all of this in the near future?