Rick Scott Hates Health Care Reform, But Will Take The $35 Million It Provides

Shiny-pated Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) has never been shy about his opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Back in 2009, Scott's Conservatives For Patients' Rights ran ads comparing the health care reform bill to the bailout of AIG, and that darkly warned of "bureaucrats" taking over health care decisions and the perils of living under socialized medicine in Britain and Canada. Additionally, one of the things that Scott and his primary opponent, Attorney General Bill McCollum, could agree on was McCollum's lawsuit against the health care reform bill, which Scott said was "what many of us hope is a rollback of the single largest government power grab in history."

So, Scott: not a fan of Obamacare. Unless of course, we're talking about an eight-figure federal grant that the law provides. In that case, Scott says, ALL YOUR MONEYS, GIVE ME THEM.

Here's Carol Gentry of Health News Florida:

Gov. Rick Scott will allow a state agency to accept a $35.7-million federal health grant, even though the funds flow from a law that Scott hates and says is invalid.

The Agency for Health Care Administration won the "Money Follows the Person" grant from the Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 22. Florida was one of 13 states that won the grants, which pay for services that enable people who are mentally or physically disabled to get out or stay out of nursing homes.

The money was allocated through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - the same law that Florida is contesting in federal court. But the grant does nothing to carry out the Act itself, Scott spokeswoman Amy Graham explained in an e-mail.

"The state will not be drawing down any dollars that bring about the implementation of ObamaCare," she said, using opponents' slang term for the Act.

A spokeswoman for HHS, Mary Kahn, said only, "We're glad they're taking the money."

Of course, this phenomenon is nothing new. Even federalists love ribbon cuttings! But as Gentry points out, "when U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson in Pensacola ruled that the Act was unconstitutional" in January, Scott "said right after it was issued that it blocked the effect of the Act in Florida."

In the event that Vinson's decision wins out, will Scott return this $35.7 million? I'm not going to hold my breath. The good news, I guess, is that these millions of dollars will probably give Florida residents a brief respite from the fear that Scott is going to pick them up by their legs and shake them down for loose change, as is his wont.

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Comments

[eugenegerard]

07:42 PM on 04/02/2011

Exactly where do the horns fit in this guys costume?

[Jeanette DeBella Bogue]

12:43 PM on 04/01/2011

The headline should read "Rick Scott Hates." That simple

[bluntobject]

01:00 AM on 04/01/2011

I am sure quite a few Floridians are starting to hate Rick Scott too.....the State's Grifter in Chief.
 
You wanted him FL, well you got him. Enjoy.

[wmramlal]

02:12 PM on 03/31/2011

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Gov. Rick Scott on accepting the $35 Million for Healthcare Reform.

The delay in accepting the funds was most likely based upon the fact that he had not been able to find a way to steal the money and pump it into one of his many companies.

For example, he has made it mandatory that welfare recipients and state workers are required to take drug tests.

Guess, who owns the drug company that will conduct the Tests, what for it, Mrs. Rick Scott.

I hope the people of Florida will conduct a RECALL on Rick Scott and kick him out of office.
Scott was able to use his money and avoid a previous Prison sentence maybe he won't be so fortunate the next time, but I doubt it.

The Republicans and Tea Party Members are destroying out Nation on the basis of greed, race, ideology, and an overall lack of humanity.

[artist-53]

09:02 PM on 03/08/2011

Participated in Awake the State in Fl.

Great turn out.

Oppositional protesters, Tea Bag Party located a long block away, had approximately ...well, certainly less than 15 people. But they had the largest flag. First time I saw one that large without a flag pole.

Author Steven King was there and spoke. Able to get many pics. Met a couple from Wisconsin. He was a Teacher (retired???) and a Union member. Heard of the rally while vacationing, and attended. We spoke about Wisconsin.

It was great to see such solidarity across state lines.

An elderly gent was a Scott Supporter. Wore all of the attire usually worn by the TB.Party. Eagle,flag, mountains type poly shirt. He stood alone ,holding a small plastic or nylon American flag, tightly in his left fist. He stood alone in his own space, as no one actually I think wanted to be inaccurately associated with a pro Scott suporter.

Ironically, the back drop to the rally, was slip after slip of yachts as the sun was beginning to set on the gulf coast of Florida

Amazing Gap.

[Ralph Perman]

08:29 PM on 03/08/2011

He's my gov (crook), but I've never met anybody who would actually admit to voting for him.

[jimfl]

07:57 PM on 03/08/2011

A real american bagger. Not Funny.

[jimfl]

07:52 PM on 03/08/2011

CROOK

[BARRY08]

04:32 AM on 03/05/2011

Here we go again - GOP political AGENDA - let us not allow President Obama to do one more good thing for America - that would be disastrous !!! people may start to like him, trust him too much !!!! and we cannot have that - signed : the PARTY of NO way we can let that happen !!! if there is justice in this world, we need to start doing something about this overreach by the republican party, we need to make them accountable !! their political agenda is that of BIGGER government under their leadership , Wake up America !!!

[BARRY08]

04:28 AM on 03/05/2011

Florida you elected a crook for a governor , so what do you expect now - he bought your votes and here you all are !!!! check out the massive medicare fraud that led to his resignation from HCA - never too late to correct your mistakes - ASK for his RESIGNATION on the basis that he is stopping Florida from progressing - pretty strong argument !

[BARRY08]

04:25 AM on 03/05/2011

Here we go again - *let us not allow President Obama succeed, that would be a disaster politically AGENDA* - only one problem with that !!! this time the whole country is watching and taking notes !!! this is the END of the GOP party for decades !!! carry on stopping progress and helping America - you are all doing a great job !!! So, This CLOWN takes a position that is inherently contradictory, relying on voter stupidity or ignorance to carry him through. When we view this man's gubernatorial reign in hindsight, we'll all be embarrassed for Florida.

[BARRY08]

04:19 AM on 03/05/2011

Florida - how you elected this clown for a governor is beyond me, knowing full well what he is capable of !!! your State was poise to make history with this high speed railway project , would have created jobs for many and the revenue that it derives is just so amazing !!! like a pension but one that grows and grows !! how ignorant is this move from your elected fellow whose record shows him a shaky character ? This is yet again - GOP agenda to r u in every good idea of this administration for political reasons ! Why is Florida not saying a thing - what is wrong with you all

[Uniongrl]

12:24 PM on 03/06/2011

I live in florida and this is what I am saying: SORRY! He his an embarrassment, full of delusions of grandure and a crook. What he also is good at is salesmanship. He sold a bill of goods to people who will believe anything you tell them as long as it is against Obama or Democrats. Never mind that the repubs have controlled the legislature here since the late '90's.

[dfstone]

11:06 PM on 03/04/2011

I find it ironic that our new governor is so against public mandated insurance when he right now runs a state with the largest government subsized insurer in the country by the name of Citizens Property and Casualty and he has made no mention of dismantling that.

[Trout007]

01:25 AM on 03/05/2011

Maybe we can loosen the regulations on the property insurers so they can charge people more money for insurance when decide to build on a beach.