The Times/Tallahassee Bureau report:
Gov. Rick Scott's announcement last week that he was drastically cutting reimbursement rates to people who care for the developmentally disabled has sparked yet another protest at the state Capitol. Hundreds have gathered for a rally in opposition to the reductions, which range from 15 percent to 40 percent.For more about the planned reimbursement cuts, read the story from Monday's Bradenton Herald.
Gov. Rick Scott's announcement last week that he was drastically cutting reimbursement rates to people who care for the developmentally disabled has sparked yet another protest at the state Capitol. Hundreds have gathered for a rally in opposition to the reductions, which range from 15 percent to 40 percent.
Scott says the rate cut is the only way to get the Agency for Persons With Disabilities under control. It is on pace to exceed its budget by $174 million by the end of the budget year, June 30. Scott has refused to use savings money or raise taxes to fill the deficit.
Advocates, parents and providers say the rate cuts are too deep too fast. They say vital services will be cut. Some people, known as "support coordinators" will have their money cut so deeply that they'll essentially be working for less than minimum wage to care for people with autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome.
At the protest this morning, protestors handed out Rick Scott emblazoned currency called "Nada Bucks" that say "In Solantic We Trust" -- a reference to the chain of clinics founded by Scott that could profit by changes to Medicaid he supports.
On the back of the buck is a "Don't Hold Your Breath" Voucher that asks protestors to request Rick Scott perform the services for people who could go without.
satan has returned to earth, he has disguised himself as rick scott.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, this man is going to bring Florida down to Hell. He keeps talking about how Florida is the only state in the union that pays 100% of state workers pension. I have never heard him mention that Florida teachers are ranked 48th in the nation in the amount they start teachers salaries. There has got to be a tradeoff here. Florida has always had some of the lowest testing students, until recently that is. Now that the students are starting to test in the upper half of the country, he is going to drive the best teachers out of the state, they can make much more money elsewhere. We used to call Jeb Bush "Governor Duh", now we should call Rick Scott "Governor idiot".
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