Whatever its accomplishments, the 2013 Legislature will forever be remembered as a shameful failure for turning down $51 billion in federal funds that could have assured access to health coverage and peace of mind for a huge number of low-income uninsured, the Tampa Bay Times editorial board wrote.
As The Ledger in Lakeland noted, lawmakers' failure to act has left as many as 1.2 million needy Floridians in the lurch.
Similarly, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel noted that the House members who left Tallahassee without getting this task done enjoy heavily-subsidized coverage from taxpayers themselves -- $8.34 a month for an individual and $30 for a family. "Try finding that deal on the open market," the editorial board said.
The Miami Herald editorial board called it "the triumph of toxic politics over common sense." (Editor's note: Readers may encounter a paywall)