More and more it looks likely that Florida, despite its conservative politics, will expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.  Big business associations — Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce — are pushing for it in part because businesses could soon  be fine for failing to provide healthcare coverage to employees.

Also getting their attention are estimates by a state-hire consultant that Sunshine State hospitals could lose  $1.3 billion in federal funds to help hospitals treat poor and/or uninsured patients. This, The Miami Herald noted,  raises the possibility that legislators would have to raise  to replace those dollars. And higher taxes are anathema is very-GOP Florida.