Jim Rosica
Gov. Rick Scott Thursday vetoed legislation that could have helped poor and rural Floridians get dental care, saying it held too much potential for abuse of public dollars.
The bill (HB 139), filed by state Rep. Travis Cummings, had been passed unanimously by both chambers of the Legislature in the 2016 Legislative Session.
It created a grants program aimed at dentists to serve patients in counties with a shortage of dentists or in otherwise “medically underserved areas.” The grants, anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000, were to be administered by the Department of Health.
In his veto letter, Scott said he agreed that “maintaining good oral health is integral to the overall health of Florida families.” But he added he could not “support a program that does not place appropriate safeguards on taxpayer investments.”
The bill “does not require dentists who receive taxpayer dollars to hire a specific number of new employees or to serve a certain number of low-income patients each year,” Scott said. “Furthermore, the bill opens the door for state dollars to be used to incentivize other high-income professionals.”
He also said the measure was “duplicative of existing programs.”
“Pediatric and adult dental benefits are provided for Medicaid recipients through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program and pediatric dental services are available through Florida KidCare,” Scott said. “Furthermore, the large majority of County Health Departments and Community Health Centers provide Florida families in rural communities access to dental services.”
Cummings, an Orange Park Republican, was on a flight and not available for comment till later today, an aide said.
A representative of the Florida Dental Association said the group was “disappointed” because the legislation “would have provided significant support for promoting dental care, economic development and job growth in underserved areas of Florida.”
“The challenges of accessing routine dental care have critically impacted the health and success of Florida communities, especially in rural areas,” said Joe Anne Hart, the FDA’s Director of Governmental Affairs. “The results are repeated visits to the emergency room for preventable dental problems, missed days of school due to toothaches, and lower GPAs and graduation rates.”
“We will continue to advocate for statewide policies and programs to improve oral health for all Floridians,” Hart said.
This is now the second bill that Scott vetoed from the 2016 Legislative Session. The first (HB 1355) would have created a Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority and authorized its board members to be paid an annual salary of $18,000.
He also is being heavily lobbied to veto a measure (SB 668) aimed at overhauling alimony and child custody in the state. He has until next Tuesday (April 19) to act.
22 comments
Patrick Lanigan
April 14, 2016 at 6:41 pm
I believe his veto is good.
Mayberry
April 14, 2016 at 6:51 pm
In his veto letter, Scott said he agreed that “maintaining good oral health is integral to the overall health of Florida families.” But he added he could not “support a program that does not place appropriate safeguards on taxpayer investments.”
Oh, you mean like the safeguards placed on taxpayer investments everytime you give a corporate handout. Get the hell out of here. Wish I could’ve been at Starbucks that day. You’re more than an asshole.
elizabeth curle
April 15, 2016 at 5:55 pm
just add more flouride to the water, it’ll calm them down. Voldemort you are an ass.
k h
April 15, 2016 at 11:38 pm
Why do you guys vote for guys like this in your state then?
Daniel
April 22, 2016 at 11:10 am
it just proves how bad the education system is in Florida. Bad enough that folks are to dumb to vote for their own needs instead of what the party they are in wants
Lyn Williams
April 24, 2016 at 8:41 pm
It is unbelievable to us, & we voted against R. Scott at the time, that this man got in again. Why do we as residents of Florida have to continue with him as our Governor? Have charges brought against this “Man”, have him removed from office. We need to impeach this cold, selfish, conniving, narcissistic, evil, bad excuse for a Governor. It shouldn’t be difficult to have him impeached….the Senate must know what is really going on. they need to listen to us, the people of Florida! It is long past due that we, the people are heard.
Richard Crooks
April 16, 2016 at 10:49 pm
How can voters keep voting for the same pieces of trash and not take a stand. Where in hell is their back bone.
Larry Murphy
April 17, 2016 at 3:51 am
Scott is a con artist that should have gone down in 2014. Put him in prison after his time is up being governor of Florida. Rick Scott for prison 2019.
Jim Goldey
April 21, 2016 at 2:42 pm
We are blessed to have a governor who is wiser than the collective legislature, quickly noting that the poor unwashed are not to be trusted under any circumstances.
Daniel
April 22, 2016 at 11:13 am
You sound like a very good Christian
Daniel
April 22, 2016 at 11:01 am
Well if anyone would know about fraud and stealing from government programs it would be RICK
Lyn Williams
April 24, 2016 at 8:29 pm
It is unbelievable to us, & we voted against R. Scott at the time, that this man got in again. Why do we as residents of Florida have to continue with him as our Governor? Have charges brought against this “Man”, have him removed from office. We need to impeach this cold, selfish, conniving, narcissistic, evil, bad excuse for a Governor. It shouldn’t be difficult to have him impeached….the Senate must know what is really going on. they need to listen to us, the people of Florida!
Lyn Williams
April 24, 2016 at 8:38 pm
It is unbelievable to us, & we voted against R. Scott at the time, that this man got in again. Why do we as residents of Florida have to continue with him as our Governor? Have charges brought against this “Man”, have him removed from office. We need to impeach this cold, selfish, conniving, narcissistic, evil, bad excuse for a Governor. It shouldn’t be difficult to have him impeached….the Senate must know what is really going on. they need to listen to us, the people of Florida! It is long past due that we, the people are heard.
Lyn Williams
April 24, 2016 at 8:59 pm
It is unbelievable to us, & we voted against R. Scott at the time, that this man got in again. Why do we as residents of Florida have to continue with him as our Governor? Have charges brought against this “Man”, have him removed from office. We need to impeach this cold, selfish, conniving, narcissistic, evil, bad excuse for a Governor. It shouldn’t be difficult to have him impeached….the Senate must know what is really going on. they need to listen to us, the people of Florida! It is long past due that we, the people are heard.
reply
Richard Crooks
April 25, 2016 at 9:03 am
Who in hell voted for this piece of trash?? Are there know one with any brains in Florida and when he gets through screwing you he will be off to Washington to try and screw the nation.
Kathleen Thorpe
April 25, 2016 at 5:07 pm
You have a very small heart Mister Scott! Do the right thing! HB-139 deserves to be pasted.
Comments are closed.