Pointing to their knowledge about Medicaid-related issues, three Florida groups Monday asked a judge to allow them to file a brief on behalf of the federal government in a lawsuit that centers on the state's Low Income Pool program.
The request, filed in federal court in Pensacola, came from the League of Women Voters of Florida, Florida Legal Services Inc. and the Florida Community Health Action Information Network, which is commonly known as Florida CHAIN.
Gov. Rick Scott filed a lawsuit last month to try to stop the Obama administration from linking an extension of the $2.2 billion Low Income Pool, or LIP, program to a potential expansion of Medicaid.
Scott followed up this month by asking for an injunction to immediately bar the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from considering whether the state has expanded Medicaid as the agency weighs a decision on the LIP program.
But in their filing Monday, the League of Women Voters, Florida Legal Services and Florida CHAIN said they want to support the Department of Health and Human Services and provide information about what are known as Medicaid "waivers." The LIP program, which is part of such a waiver, is scheduled to expire June 30 unless state and federal officials can reach an agreement.
