Judge denies Scott’s request for mediations with feds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A federal judge has denied Gov. Rick Scott’s request to force mediation with the Obama administration over federal hospital funds.

Scott is suing the administration, alleging they are withholding federal hospital funds because Florida won’t expand Medicaid. He asked a judge this week to compel mediation, but the Obama administration says they’ve been engaged in ongoing and productive discussions and that mediation may delay a final decision.

The administration has already given Scott a tentative decision to extend the funds for two more years at a much lower price. Scott’s office says they want a final agreement so they can finalize the state budget by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown.

Scott said in a statement Wednesday he was disappointed with the ruling and with the administration for delaying a decision. But Florida has known for over a year that the funds were ending and waited until the last minute to submit its proposal.