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A healthcare debate that caused a major disruption in the state’s budget process came to a head today.  As Matt Galka tells us, the Florida House – the chamber opposed to Medicaid expansion – formally got their say on whether the plan lives or dies.

Healthcare expansion supporters were still holding out hope Friday.

“I am still here. We the people of Florida are still here to call for affordable quality healthcare for all,” said Jabari Paul with expansion support group “Faith in Florida.”

Vincent Adderly was part of the group. He falls into the coverage gap and is uninsured.  Part of his big toe was amputated last week in a procedure he says could have been avoided if Medicaid was expanded in the state.

“We need to close that gap and we need to agree on coming together and not being one sided about how it should be done,” he said.

A plan for healthcare expansion through lawmakers and regular session into chaos.  The Senate’s expansion planned passed that chamber overwhelmingly. A majority of Florida House members voiced opposition to expansion throughout the process. That didn’t change Friday.

“I know an entitlement when I see one. FHIX is simply Obamacare, Medicaid expansion with a clever name,” said Rep. John Wood (R-Winter Haven).

Before the House had even voted on healthcare expansion, there was an announcement that budget conferences would begin this weekend. The announcement basically meant a broad budget deal was in place without federal healthcare money for expansion.

Some Senators were frustrated.

“Not only are we talking about the hundreds of thousands of folks impacted by this in real time, lets think about the hundreds of millions of dollars that we’re going to lose in revenue,” said Democratic Miami-Dade Senator Dwight Bullard.

Lawmakers from both chambers will have until Tuesday to iron out specific parts of the budget like other healthcare costs and education spending.