Legislature could stop Scott's Medicaid expansion

MIAMI (AP)-- A fight between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican-dominated Legislature over Medicaid expansion could be brewing.

Scott is pushing the Legislature to approve the expansion during its annual 60-day session, which starts Tuesday.

Scott once opposed expanding Medicaid but now wants to expand it for three years. That's how long the federal government plans to foot 100 percent of the bill. But Republican lawmakers worry it will be difficult to stop a program that's already providing services.

The expansion is part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul plan. Scott explained that it would be unfair for Florida taxpayers to pay into the program but get no benefit in return.

Opponents say it will be almost impossible to kill the program in three years, if necessary.