Fla. Senate panel delays Medicaid decision

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A Senate panel tasked with implementing the federal health law has postponed a decision on whether Florida should extend Medicaid coverage to another 1 million residents.

Committee Chair Sen. Joe Negron said Monday that it's better to get it right than to make a hasty recommendation. He said he planned to ask for public testimony from additional consumer groups.

Gov. Rick Scott recently proposed expanding Medicaid for three years as long as the federal government foots the entire bill. The Legislature must still sign off on it, and lawmakers have not been shy in expressing their skepticism about the quality and cost of the Affordable Care Act.

A House committee meeting later Monday may still make its recommendations about Medicaid expansion.

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