Recently, the state Legislature passed a comprehensive reform package on Friday and experts are of opinion that due to this step, Florida’s Medicaid program will undergo some fundamental and historic changes in the coming years.

Officials explain that this new bill will shift Medicaid recipients from the government-centered program to managed-care companies that are contractually obligated to provide services and meet cost-reduction goals.

Sources suggest that the government would be funding $22 billion in the 2011-2012 fiscal year budget which would come around to be 30% of the total budget with more than 50% of the funds coming from the federal government.

Senate President Mike Haridopolos and others have been seeking input from citizens on this issue on their tours and they believe that the final product would ensure more individual freedom and responsibility in choosing health
-care services while reducing costs.

Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart was responsible for leading the charge on Medicaid reform in the Senate and he stated, “We have very strict controls in place, but I think we should look at Medicaid more in an entrepreneurial way rather than a top-down. We are the government; this is the way you will do it”.