Tagged: Florida Legislature

At 7 a.m. on a Monday morning, poor people who don’t qualify for government health programs such as Medicaid are lined up outside a health department building on a busy street in St. Petersburg. 

Some lean against the wall; others sit on the ground, too sick to stand. 

At 7:30, the doors will open and those who are waiting will rush – or limp – inside to take a number. Lucky ones will get to see a doctor. First-come, first-served.

Results of a new poll of Medicaid opinion in five Deep South states matches those found in Florida three months ago: A majority of those surveyed favor expansion of the health-insurance program for the poor, yet their state lawmakers are blocking it.

Two-thirds of adults in South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Alabama told surveyors they  support the expansion, according to Kaiser Health News. 

State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville, says the debate over how exactly to implement the Affordable Care Act in Florida is far from over. 

"There's going to be much more discussion as to what we should do next year as we watch other states," Bean said.  "Maybe we can also clarify exactly what the federal government has in mind."

Economist Alan Green, who will be teaching at Stetson University beginning in August, says that he and his peers were dumbfounded by Florida House Republicans' refusal to accept $51 billion in federal funds over a decade to provide health coverage for the low-income uninsured beginning next year.

House Speaker Will Weatherford said Florida’s rejection of Medicaid expansion is good for the country because it prevents the federal deficit from growing. But PolitiFact rated this claim Half True because he ignored some key information.  

Dr. John Armstrong will continue to lead the Department of Health, thanks to a reappointment by Gov. Rick Scott. As the Associated Press reports, Florida Senators, particularly state Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, wanted Armstrong out. 

Florida representatives from Pinellas County were put on the spot Tuesday by Suncoast Tiger Bay members, who asked Republicans to defend their low health insurance premiums amid their decision to vote down plans that would have helped low-income Floridians get affordable health care, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

During the 2013 legislative session, Florida lawmakers were unable to agree on a plan to expand health care coverage for more low-income Floridians.  WUSF’s Carson Cooper talked to three state representatives about that issue for this week’s episode of Florida Matters, which aired Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on WUSF 89.7 FM. 

If you missed it, you can listen to the whole conversation here.

Florida lawmakers were unable to agree on a plan to expand health care coverage for more low-income Floridians.  We talked to three state representatives about that issue for this week’s episode of Florida Matters, which aired Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. on WUSF 89.7. 

The Florida Legislature’s decision against expanding Medicaid will saddle the state’s employers with higher health care costs and was “bad for business,” health care experts told business leaders on Tuesday. 

Florida corporations have been “too quiet” about Medicaid expansion and other health care issues, and should make elected officials aware of their displeasure before the damage gets worse, said William Kramer, a national health policy leader in San Francisco who works with corporations.

Representatives in the Florida House voted to keep low health insurance premiums for themselves next year, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Critics say it’s hypocritical for members of the House to pay just $8.34 a month for individual coverage, or $30 for a family policy, since the plan they wanted to offer to some of the state’s poorest uninsured would have cost $25 a month.

The Florida Legislature dealt with a number of health care bills this session.  See the Florida Current for a roundup of the issues, including Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, optometrist vs. ophthalmologist prescribing powers and a new Medicaid billing formula for hospitals.