TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich has asked federal officials to reject Florida’s Medicaid overhaul.

The Republican-controlled Legislature passed a pair of bills that will turn the state-federal program over to private businesses or hospital groups.

Rich wrote in a letter Thursday that there is no way the companies can provide proper care for the poor and disabled and still make a profit.

Florida will need a waiver from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement the transition. It would build on an existing five-county experimental program in managed care.

Gov. Rick Scott and other GOP supporters say privatizing the $20 billion program will save money for state and federal taxpayers.