FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida Senate committee will discuss Medicaid expansion under the federal health overhaul to offer insurance to an estimated 900,000 low-income residents.

Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Research Associate Professor Joan Alker says if Florida does not expand Medicaid, it will create a coverage gap for those who earn too little to qualify for tax credits to buy insurance from the online exchange but too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage under the state's low income guidelines.

She also noted a decision not to expand Medicaid will have a substantial indirect impact on the state's health care providers, hospitals and overall economy.

She is expected to testify before the committee in Tallahassee on Monday.

Gov. Rick Scott has expressed concerns about the high cost of Medicaid expansion to Florida taxpayers.