The way Congress has been arguing over the "manufactured controversy" over Planned Parenthood, is it possible that we've hit a new low? According to Katy Sorenson, a former Miami-Dade County Commissioner and president and CEO of The Good Government Initiative, we have.
In an op-ed piece in The Miami Herald ("Why we continue to need Planned Parenthood:), Sorenson writes, "It was shameful for members of Congress to threaten to shut down the government over funding for Planned Parenthood. And yet attempts to slash federal funding for Planned Parenthood health centers across the country are lurking."
She goes on to write that while, yes, Planned Parenthood performs abortions for women who need them, they provide more than that.
"Defunding Planned Parenthood is more than an attack on reproductive rights," she writes. "It’s an attack on women, men and families, the one in five who have been to Planned Parenthood during their lifetime...Planned Parenthood has provided a full range of healthcare services — including life-saving cancer screenings, breast exams, contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)."
To read more, go to http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article38010636.html.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Ted Cruz and the GOP Nomination
George F. Will discusses Ted Cruz's "audacious 'base plus' strategy" for the Republican nomination in his Washington Post opinion column.
In it, Will discusses how voter turnout affects national elections: non-Hispanic white turnout increased by 10 million between George W. Bush's 2000 election and his 2004 reelection; Barack Obama's election produced a surge of African American voters with a decline of white voters, with a higher African-American voting rate in Obama's 2012 reelection over white voters. Will states that turnout may very well put Cruz and Florida's Marco Rubio as the top two Republican contenders.
To read Will's entire piece, click here.
In it, Will discusses how voter turnout affects national elections: non-Hispanic white turnout increased by 10 million between George W. Bush's 2000 election and his 2004 reelection; Barack Obama's election produced a surge of African American voters with a decline of white voters, with a higher African-American voting rate in Obama's 2012 reelection over white voters. Will states that turnout may very well put Cruz and Florida's Marco Rubio as the top two Republican contenders.
To read Will's entire piece, click here.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Bone Marrow Transplants Save Lives
There are many ways one can save a life, one of which is registering as a bone marrow donor. In their September 4 column in the Tampa Bay Times, Dr. Jeffrey Chell and Becky Dame write about bone marrow transplants.
In the column, titled "Transplant program makes strides in fighting blood diseases," Dr. Chell and Ms. Dame state that in many cases of "blood cancers and other blood disorders...a bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant is the only cure."
The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, named after Florida's late Rep. C.W. Bill Young, has given patients access to life-saving bone marrow for the past 30 years.
To read the column in its entirety, click here.
In the column, titled "Transplant program makes strides in fighting blood diseases," Dr. Chell and Ms. Dame state that in many cases of "blood cancers and other blood disorders...a bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant is the only cure."
The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, named after Florida's late Rep. C.W. Bill Young, has given patients access to life-saving bone marrow for the past 30 years.
To read the column in its entirety, click here.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
EPA Still Needed, Despite Accident
While the recent unleashing of three million gallons of toxic wastewater from the Gold King Mine into the Animas River in Colorado by contractors for the Environmental Protection Agency has been called "outrageous" in a Miami Herald editorial ("Accident Aside, EPA Still Needed"), the "horrific accident helps drive home the point that the agency is needed more than ever."
The editorial states that the EPA "must keep their promises to effectively undo the damage done by the spill," as well as compensate landowners affected by it.
While thousands of Superfund sites - "hazardous-wast dumping grounds often created by irresponsible private companies" - about across the U.S., several states are fighting the EPA, including Florida. Florida is one of 17 states involved in a legal action against the EPA, "accusing it of illegally invalidating the individual air-quality protection plans in those states. The reason: In June, the EPA issued a final rule requiring 35 states, including Florida, to revise their individual State Implementation Plans governing carbon emissions during a power plant’s start-up, shutdown or malfunction."
The Miami Herald's editorial goes on to briefly outline the fight, as well as reiterating the fact that "the EPA must be allowed to carry out its extremely important role" of protecting the nation's environment.
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article31135991.html#storylink=cpy.
The editorial states that the EPA "must keep their promises to effectively undo the damage done by the spill," as well as compensate landowners affected by it.
While thousands of Superfund sites - "hazardous-wast dumping grounds often created by irresponsible private companies" - about across the U.S., several states are fighting the EPA, including Florida. Florida is one of 17 states involved in a legal action against the EPA, "accusing it of illegally invalidating the individual air-quality protection plans in those states. The reason: In June, the EPA issued a final rule requiring 35 states, including Florida, to revise their individual State Implementation Plans governing carbon emissions during a power plant’s start-up, shutdown or malfunction."
The Miami Herald's editorial goes on to briefly outline the fight, as well as reiterating the fact that "the EPA must be allowed to carry out its extremely important role" of protecting the nation's environment.
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article31135991.html#storylink=cpy.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Rick Scott - Worst Governer?
Is Rick Scott Florida's worst governor? That is the question Carl Hiaasen asks in his Miami Herald column ("Carl Hiaasen: Gov. Scott picks the public's pockets).
While Florida has had many governors since 1845, some good, some great, and some flat-out lousy, Hiaasen writes that, "Scott is certainly a prime contender for worst ever, and each new screwing of Floridians pushes him closer to the title."
"During the last few months, taxpayers have been soaked for more than $1 million to settle lawsuits in which Scott and his dim-bulb Cabinet flagrantly violated Florida’s open-records and open-meetings laws," Hiaasen continues. "No other sitting governor has used tax money to end public-records cases that were caused by his own secretive misbehavior. Scott couldn’t care less."
Hiaasen contines his case for Scott as "worst Florida governor ever." To read his column in its entirety, go to http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/carl-hiaasen/article31132001.html#storylink=cpy.
While Florida has had many governors since 1845, some good, some great, and some flat-out lousy, Hiaasen writes that, "Scott is certainly a prime contender for worst ever, and each new screwing of Floridians pushes him closer to the title."
"During the last few months, taxpayers have been soaked for more than $1 million to settle lawsuits in which Scott and his dim-bulb Cabinet flagrantly violated Florida’s open-records and open-meetings laws," Hiaasen continues. "No other sitting governor has used tax money to end public-records cases that were caused by his own secretive misbehavior. Scott couldn’t care less."
Hiaasen contines his case for Scott as "worst Florida governor ever." To read his column in its entirety, go to http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/carl-hiaasen/article31132001.html#storylink=cpy.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Are Florida's Seniors For Sale?
Are Florida's seniors for sale? That is the question Kelly Wilson tries to answer in her communtary in today's Palm Beach (Fla) Post.
In her commentary, Wilson writes that July 1 marked "the third anniversary of legal patient brokering in Florida."
"Since July 1, 2012, a number of senior referral providers who act as brokers making transactions involving older adults with the sole intent of receiving payment have reeled in big profits. These brokers advertise a free service to consumers and are generously rewarded for a move into a community within their fee-for-referral network," Wilson writes. Prior to this time, this referral practice was prohibited, in an effort "to protect Florida consumers."
Wilson goes on to discuss how the senior housing market, both state-wide and nationally, and why she feels protections, which have been eliminated, should be in place. To read her commentary, go to http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/commentary-are-floridas-seniors-for-sale/nm7yn/.
In her commentary, Wilson writes that July 1 marked "the third anniversary of legal patient brokering in Florida."
"Since July 1, 2012, a number of senior referral providers who act as brokers making transactions involving older adults with the sole intent of receiving payment have reeled in big profits. These brokers advertise a free service to consumers and are generously rewarded for a move into a community within their fee-for-referral network," Wilson writes. Prior to this time, this referral practice was prohibited, in an effort "to protect Florida consumers."
Wilson goes on to discuss how the senior housing market, both state-wide and nationally, and why she feels protections, which have been eliminated, should be in place. To read her commentary, go to http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/commentary-are-floridas-seniors-for-sale/nm7yn/.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Gov. Scott's Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding
Should Floridians be concerned over Gov. Rick Scott's Commission on Healthcare and Florida Funding? According to an editorial in the Ocala StarBanner, ("Editorial: Critical Condition"), there are plenty of reasons for Floridians to be concerned.
According to the editorial, Gov. Scott proposed the commission after "the Florida House of Representatives abruptly and unconstitutionally adjourned the 2015 legislative session." This adjournment came after representatives and state senators refused to resolve disputes over health care - especially Medicaid expansion.
Remember the idea of Medicaid expansion, part of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act? This expansion would have given health insurance to approximately 800,000 Floridians.
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.ocala.com/article/20150521/OPINION01/150529964.
According to the editorial, Gov. Scott proposed the commission after "the Florida House of Representatives abruptly and unconstitutionally adjourned the 2015 legislative session." This adjournment came after representatives and state senators refused to resolve disputes over health care - especially Medicaid expansion.
Remember the idea of Medicaid expansion, part of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act? This expansion would have given health insurance to approximately 800,000 Floridians.
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.ocala.com/article/20150521/OPINION01/150529964.
Expanding Dental Care
Is it possible for low-income Floridians to obtain low-cost dental services? According to an editorial in Jacksonville, Florida's The Florida Times-Union ("A Promising Opportunity To Expand Dental Care"), a much-anticipated clinic is opening in Jacksonville.
The clinic is slated to have six rooms for medical patients and six for dental patients, and is expected to "expand low-income adults' access to dental care."
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2015-05-20/story/promising-opportunity-expand-dental-care.
The clinic is slated to have six rooms for medical patients and six for dental patients, and is expected to "expand low-income adults' access to dental care."
To read the editorial in its entirety, go to http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2015-05-20/story/promising-opportunity-expand-dental-care.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Editorial: FL Legislature Morally, Fiscally Indefensible
The Florida Legislature is behaving "morally and fiscally indefensible" as it threatens Floridians' well-being, according to an editorial in The Gainesville Sun ("Editorial: Simply Indefensible").
More than 800,000 Floridians are uninsured because they can't afford insurance, while not qualifying for Medicaid. Florida and the federal government have a contract known as the Low Income Pool (LIP), as do other states. The LIP money helps "pay for hospital charity care when the poor go to an emergency room," the editorial states.
As part of the Affordable Care Act, LIP funds would disappear, to be replaced by Medicaid expansion money. The idea of behind this would allow the poor access to health care besides in an emergency room.
However, the Florida Legislature has consistently turned down federal Medicaid expansion money. (Florida Gov. Rick Scott has flip-flopped on the idea of Medicaid expansion; click here to read Huffington Post's view on this issue.)
To read The Gainesville Sun's editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150428/OPINION01/150429712?tc=ar.
More than 800,000 Floridians are uninsured because they can't afford insurance, while not qualifying for Medicaid. Florida and the federal government have a contract known as the Low Income Pool (LIP), as do other states. The LIP money helps "pay for hospital charity care when the poor go to an emergency room," the editorial states.
As part of the Affordable Care Act, LIP funds would disappear, to be replaced by Medicaid expansion money. The idea of behind this would allow the poor access to health care besides in an emergency room.
However, the Florida Legislature has consistently turned down federal Medicaid expansion money. (Florida Gov. Rick Scott has flip-flopped on the idea of Medicaid expansion; click here to read Huffington Post's view on this issue.)
To read The Gainesville Sun's editorial in its entirety, go to http://www.gainesville.com/article/20150428/OPINION01/150429712?tc=ar.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Hufflington Post: Rick Scott, Tally Republicans Throwing Tantrum
A political fight over health care has been unfolding in Florida, unusual in that it pits Republican Governor Rick Scott against some members of his own party, according to The Huffington Post ("Rick Scott Snd Florida Republicans Are Throwing An Anti-Obamacare Tantrum"). It is also revealing, as it "lays bare the motives of the Affordable Care Act's most determined detractors," the article states.
While more than half of the states have expanded Medicaid, Florida has been one of the holdouts. Gov. Scott has changed position on the expansion, depending on the political climate of the moment, the Huffington article states.
To read the article in full, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/21/rick-scott-obamacare-lawsuit_n_7111218.html.
While more than half of the states have expanded Medicaid, Florida has been one of the holdouts. Gov. Scott has changed position on the expansion, depending on the political climate of the moment, the Huffington article states.
To read the article in full, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/21/rick-scott-obamacare-lawsuit_n_7111218.html.
Andy Marlette on FL's 'Gangsta' Governor
Do you have a less-than-favorable opinion of Florida's Governor Rick Scott? Then you might want to read an opinion piece by Andy Marlene, of the Pensacola News Journal ("Marlette: The Gov. has gone 'gangsta'"). In his column, he likens legislators, lobbyists "and a bald-headed governor" to money changers, livestock and Herod.
In his piece, Marlette mentions "the ever-insightful Tampa Bay Times columnist John Romano," quoting him on Gov. Scott's likening the Obama Administration to "The Sopranos."
To read Andy Marlette's column in its entirety - and I highly recommend it - go to http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2015/04/25/andy-marlette-column/26369661/.
In his piece, Marlette mentions "the ever-insightful Tampa Bay Times columnist John Romano," quoting him on Gov. Scott's likening the Obama Administration to "The Sopranos."
To read Andy Marlette's column in its entirety - and I highly recommend it - go to http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2015/04/25/andy-marlette-column/26369661/.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Column: Lift Prescription Restrictions on Health Professionals
"Column: Lift Prescription Restrictions on Health Professionals," by Sam Vafadar, as a special to the Tampa Bay Times:
"I am a fairly new physician assistant who has been working in a very specialized field of medicine called thoracic medical oncology. But I can already see that a key way to provide better care — and to prevent controlled substance abuse — is to grant both physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (ARNPs) full prescribing authority of controlled substances, as deemed appropriate by our supervising physician colleagues.
"Florida is the only state that does not permit mid-level providers (PAs and ARNPs) to do this. As a Florida native and a practicing physician assistant who works at Moffitt, the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, I strongly hope that bills making their way through the Legislature will become law and correct this mistake. In oncology there is a dire need for more flexibility in prescribing controlled substances.
"I am an advanced practice professional (APP) — also known as a mid-level provider — in oncology, which means I am involved in complex decisionmaking for patients with unique and challenging needs. And more often than not, I see these patients in follow-up more frequently than do my physician colleagues. Quite simply, we develop our own unique, complex provider-patient relationships over time. We are frequently looked to as the patient's health advocate, essentially representing the patient for our physician colleagues. And because we know our patients so well, we are best positioned to know what they need to ease their pain — but also to recognize warning signs of abuse.
"As one of the few sub-specialized PAs in the state, I witness on a daily basis the negative impact that restricted prescribing laws have on Floridians, especially those affected with a cancer diagnosis. As a PA in a cancer center, I work with many specialists to coordinate and to optimize patient care, interpreting subjective and objective data to best aid the patient as a cancer survivor, working with medical oncologists to optimize patient outcomes, and prescribing oral and IV medications when appropriate within the scope of practice as allowed by my institution.
"I can do all of those things, except efficiently and effectively relieve the pain and suffering in a patient population that research has shown to be the least likely to abuse controlled substances.
"Senate Bill 614, sponsored by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, would give PAs and ARNPs the authority to prescribe controlled substances as determined appropriate by supervisory physicians. It would not remove any decisionmaking power from the physician. This bill — and a similar bill in the House, HB 281 — will go a long way to ensure that an additional 20,000 providers will be able to treat patients to the level of our training and education.
"No state that gave PAs or ARNPs full prescriptive authority has ever rescinded it. Passing this legislation will help to keep my PA and ARNP colleagues who were trained in Florida, practicing in Florida. It will improve access to health care for all Floridians and create more jobs.
"I appreciate that the Florida Legislature may finally be considering a law that, in my opinion, is long overdue and that will no doubt positively affect health outcomes for all Floridians. I am both a proud, native Floridian and a physician assistant who wants this state to succeed. However, current restrictive prescribing laws are preventing optimal outcomes. I believe that this is a crucial next step in our health care evolution."
Sam Vafadar is a physician assistant in thoracic oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. He wrote this exclusively for the Tampa Bay Times.
"I am a fairly new physician assistant who has been working in a very specialized field of medicine called thoracic medical oncology. But I can already see that a key way to provide better care — and to prevent controlled substance abuse — is to grant both physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (ARNPs) full prescribing authority of controlled substances, as deemed appropriate by our supervising physician colleagues.
"Florida is the only state that does not permit mid-level providers (PAs and ARNPs) to do this. As a Florida native and a practicing physician assistant who works at Moffitt, the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, I strongly hope that bills making their way through the Legislature will become law and correct this mistake. In oncology there is a dire need for more flexibility in prescribing controlled substances.
"I am an advanced practice professional (APP) — also known as a mid-level provider — in oncology, which means I am involved in complex decisionmaking for patients with unique and challenging needs. And more often than not, I see these patients in follow-up more frequently than do my physician colleagues. Quite simply, we develop our own unique, complex provider-patient relationships over time. We are frequently looked to as the patient's health advocate, essentially representing the patient for our physician colleagues. And because we know our patients so well, we are best positioned to know what they need to ease their pain — but also to recognize warning signs of abuse.
"As one of the few sub-specialized PAs in the state, I witness on a daily basis the negative impact that restricted prescribing laws have on Floridians, especially those affected with a cancer diagnosis. As a PA in a cancer center, I work with many specialists to coordinate and to optimize patient care, interpreting subjective and objective data to best aid the patient as a cancer survivor, working with medical oncologists to optimize patient outcomes, and prescribing oral and IV medications when appropriate within the scope of practice as allowed by my institution.
"I can do all of those things, except efficiently and effectively relieve the pain and suffering in a patient population that research has shown to be the least likely to abuse controlled substances.
"Senate Bill 614, sponsored by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, would give PAs and ARNPs the authority to prescribe controlled substances as determined appropriate by supervisory physicians. It would not remove any decisionmaking power from the physician. This bill — and a similar bill in the House, HB 281 — will go a long way to ensure that an additional 20,000 providers will be able to treat patients to the level of our training and education.
"No state that gave PAs or ARNPs full prescriptive authority has ever rescinded it. Passing this legislation will help to keep my PA and ARNP colleagues who were trained in Florida, practicing in Florida. It will improve access to health care for all Floridians and create more jobs.
"I appreciate that the Florida Legislature may finally be considering a law that, in my opinion, is long overdue and that will no doubt positively affect health outcomes for all Floridians. I am both a proud, native Floridian and a physician assistant who wants this state to succeed. However, current restrictive prescribing laws are preventing optimal outcomes. I believe that this is a crucial next step in our health care evolution."
Sam Vafadar is a physician assistant in thoracic oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. He wrote this exclusively for the Tampa Bay Times.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Editorial: Tell the Legislature's Immoral Minority to expand Medicaid in Florida
This is an important editorial from Friday, April 10, 2019's Tampa Bay Times:
"Most Floridians want it. So do thousands of businesses and the medical community. So do Republicans and Democrats in the Florida Senate. Yet 80 Florida House Republicans are denying 800,000 Floridians access to health care by refusing to accept Medicaid expansion money from Washington. It is immoral, and it is financially irresponsible. Of those 80 House Republicans, 13 represent Tampa Bay districts. Call them. Email them. Ask them why they are blocking health insurance for your families, friends and co-workers.
"RICHARD CORCORAN, Land O'Lakes: (850) 717-5037, richard.corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov — Corcoran is the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the expected House speaker for 2016-18 and the chief obstructionist.
"DANA YOUNG, Tampa: (850) 717-5060, dana.young@myfloridahouse.gov — Young is the House majority leader who helps prevent Republicans from voting their conscience on Medicaid expansion.
"BLAISE INGOGLIA, Spring Hill: (850) 717-5035, blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov — Ingoglia has an inherent conflict of interest as both the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and a state legislator serving all of his Hernando County constituents.
"LARRY AHERN, Seminole: (850) 717-5066, larry.ahern@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS LATVALA, Clearwater: (850) 717-5067, chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
"KATHLEEN PETERS, South Pasadena: (850) 717-5069, kathleen.peters@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS SPROWLS, Palm Harbor: (850) 717-5065, chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
"DANNY BURGESS JR., San Antonio: (850) 717-5038, danny.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov
SHAWN HARRISON, Tampa: (850) 717-5063, shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
"JAKE RABURN, Lithia: (850) 717-5057, jake.raburn@myfloridahouse.gov
"DAN RAULERSON, Plant City: (850) 717-5058, dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov
"ROSS SPANO, Dover: (850) 717-5059, ross.spano@myfloridahouse.gov
"JIMMIE T. SMITH, Inverness: (850) 717-5034, jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
"This may be the last, best chance for the Florida Legislature to accept billions in federal Medicaid money and create health coverage for low-income residents. The Senate has crafted a responsible bipartisan plan to use the federal money to subsidize private health insurance, and House Republicans should embrace it and stop being obstructionists.
The economic case for accepting the federal money and expanding access to health care is persuasive. It would bring tens of billions from Washington to Florida. It would save the state more than $1.7 billion over five years by replacing existing health care programs. It would help residents paying higher private insurance premiums to subsidize the cost of charity care.
"The cost of rejecting the Senate plan? Federal tax dollars from Florida help pay for Medicaid expansion in 28 other states. The Low Income Pool that helps cover the cost of treating the uninsured will lose more than $1 billion in federal money. Florida hospitals and taxpayers cannot afford to make that up.
"The moral argument for taking the Medicaid expansion money is also compelling. Low-income Floridians should not be deprived of health insurance because House Republicans can't stand President Barack Obama and distrust Washington. House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, is prepared to go to war with the Senate and block its practical plan. Senate Republicans and Democrats better reflect the sensibilities of most Floridians, and they should not bend to such pinched thinking.
"House Republicans from Tampa Bay should hear the commonsense voices in their communities. Tell them you want all Floridians to have health insurance and access to care. Ask them why they will not bring home federal tax dollars you send to Washington. And remind them to act in the best interests of all of their constituents."
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To read this online at the Tampa Bay Times' site, go to http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-the-immoral-minority/2224999.
"Most Floridians want it. So do thousands of businesses and the medical community. So do Republicans and Democrats in the Florida Senate. Yet 80 Florida House Republicans are denying 800,000 Floridians access to health care by refusing to accept Medicaid expansion money from Washington. It is immoral, and it is financially irresponsible. Of those 80 House Republicans, 13 represent Tampa Bay districts. Call them. Email them. Ask them why they are blocking health insurance for your families, friends and co-workers.
"RICHARD CORCORAN, Land O'Lakes: (850) 717-5037, richard.corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov — Corcoran is the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the expected House speaker for 2016-18 and the chief obstructionist.
"DANA YOUNG, Tampa: (850) 717-5060, dana.young@myfloridahouse.gov — Young is the House majority leader who helps prevent Republicans from voting their conscience on Medicaid expansion.
"BLAISE INGOGLIA, Spring Hill: (850) 717-5035, blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov — Ingoglia has an inherent conflict of interest as both the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and a state legislator serving all of his Hernando County constituents.
"LARRY AHERN, Seminole: (850) 717-5066, larry.ahern@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS LATVALA, Clearwater: (850) 717-5067, chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
"KATHLEEN PETERS, South Pasadena: (850) 717-5069, kathleen.peters@myfloridahouse.gov
"CHRIS SPROWLS, Palm Harbor: (850) 717-5065, chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
"DANNY BURGESS JR., San Antonio: (850) 717-5038, danny.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov
SHAWN HARRISON, Tampa: (850) 717-5063, shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
"JAKE RABURN, Lithia: (850) 717-5057, jake.raburn@myfloridahouse.gov
"DAN RAULERSON, Plant City: (850) 717-5058, dan.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov
"ROSS SPANO, Dover: (850) 717-5059, ross.spano@myfloridahouse.gov
"JIMMIE T. SMITH, Inverness: (850) 717-5034, jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
"This may be the last, best chance for the Florida Legislature to accept billions in federal Medicaid money and create health coverage for low-income residents. The Senate has crafted a responsible bipartisan plan to use the federal money to subsidize private health insurance, and House Republicans should embrace it and stop being obstructionists.
The economic case for accepting the federal money and expanding access to health care is persuasive. It would bring tens of billions from Washington to Florida. It would save the state more than $1.7 billion over five years by replacing existing health care programs. It would help residents paying higher private insurance premiums to subsidize the cost of charity care.
"The cost of rejecting the Senate plan? Federal tax dollars from Florida help pay for Medicaid expansion in 28 other states. The Low Income Pool that helps cover the cost of treating the uninsured will lose more than $1 billion in federal money. Florida hospitals and taxpayers cannot afford to make that up.
"The moral argument for taking the Medicaid expansion money is also compelling. Low-income Floridians should not be deprived of health insurance because House Republicans can't stand President Barack Obama and distrust Washington. House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, is prepared to go to war with the Senate and block its practical plan. Senate Republicans and Democrats better reflect the sensibilities of most Floridians, and they should not bend to such pinched thinking.
"House Republicans from Tampa Bay should hear the commonsense voices in their communities. Tell them you want all Floridians to have health insurance and access to care. Ask them why they will not bring home federal tax dollars you send to Washington. And remind them to act in the best interests of all of their constituents."
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To read this online at the Tampa Bay Times' site, go to http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-the-immoral-minority/2224999.
Viewpoint: Fix our health care
From the Pensacola (Fla.) NewsJournal, on April 10, 2015; written by Kim Williams:
Last week, Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and all of the Florida Senate demonstrated true leadership when they passed a budget that included a comprehensive health care package designed to address the state's worsening health care crisis.
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the nation leading to billions of dollars in uncompensated care each year that ultimately comes out of the pockets of businesses like mine in Tallahassee. Add to that the June 30 sunset of the $2 billion fund known as the Low Income Pool (LIP), and we have a true crisis on our hands.
But it's a crisis we have seen coming. Our state was notified last April that a new program must be created that provides significant reforms to existing LIP policies. And, for years, the business community has been calling for a solution to address health care coverage in our state. Employers want to keep their employees and their communities healthy. They also desperately need relief from the rising health insurance premiums they see each year due to uncompensated care. Also kicking in this year are financial penalties assessed on businesses unable to provide health care coverage to full-time employees and their dependents.
We need a fix for both the LIP and for the low-income, working Floridians who could receive preventative health care rather than being treated in emergency rooms or hospitals after they get sick.
The Florida Senate, under President Andy Gardiner, has done just that. Their plan includes sound reforms to LIP. It also creates an innovative new concept, called the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange (FHIX) program, which would provide health care coverage to nearly 1 million uninsured, working Floridians.
The FHIX program is not an expansion of Medicaid, but an alternative developed to fit Florida's unique needs. It offers access to coverage through private health insurance plans and requires personal accountability through monthly premiums and job and education requirements.
FHIX is funded through dollars that we Floridians have already sent to Washington, D.C. Those dollars are already being paid through taxes on health insurers, taxes on durable medical equipment and reductions in payments to hospitals to cover the cost of care. It's money taken from Florida taxpayers and businesses, and we want it back.
Although history has shown that the federal government has provided consistent funding for health care programs, the Senate includes taxpayer and budget protections in its health care package. Should the federal government pull back funding, the FHIX program would end.
Our country was built on state governments and the federal government working together. We must work together to resolve this crisis.
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Kim Williams is president of Marpan and Marpan Recycling in Tallahassee. He also is a member of the A Healthy Florida Works coalition.
To view this online, go to http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2015/04/10/viewpoint-fix-health-care/25570885/.
Last week, Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and all of the Florida Senate demonstrated true leadership when they passed a budget that included a comprehensive health care package designed to address the state's worsening health care crisis.
Florida has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the nation leading to billions of dollars in uncompensated care each year that ultimately comes out of the pockets of businesses like mine in Tallahassee. Add to that the June 30 sunset of the $2 billion fund known as the Low Income Pool (LIP), and we have a true crisis on our hands.
But it's a crisis we have seen coming. Our state was notified last April that a new program must be created that provides significant reforms to existing LIP policies. And, for years, the business community has been calling for a solution to address health care coverage in our state. Employers want to keep their employees and their communities healthy. They also desperately need relief from the rising health insurance premiums they see each year due to uncompensated care. Also kicking in this year are financial penalties assessed on businesses unable to provide health care coverage to full-time employees and their dependents.
We need a fix for both the LIP and for the low-income, working Floridians who could receive preventative health care rather than being treated in emergency rooms or hospitals after they get sick.
The Florida Senate, under President Andy Gardiner, has done just that. Their plan includes sound reforms to LIP. It also creates an innovative new concept, called the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange (FHIX) program, which would provide health care coverage to nearly 1 million uninsured, working Floridians.
The FHIX program is not an expansion of Medicaid, but an alternative developed to fit Florida's unique needs. It offers access to coverage through private health insurance plans and requires personal accountability through monthly premiums and job and education requirements.
FHIX is funded through dollars that we Floridians have already sent to Washington, D.C. Those dollars are already being paid through taxes on health insurers, taxes on durable medical equipment and reductions in payments to hospitals to cover the cost of care. It's money taken from Florida taxpayers and businesses, and we want it back.
Although history has shown that the federal government has provided consistent funding for health care programs, the Senate includes taxpayer and budget protections in its health care package. Should the federal government pull back funding, the FHIX program would end.
Our country was built on state governments and the federal government working together. We must work together to resolve this crisis.
-----
Kim Williams is president of Marpan and Marpan Recycling in Tallahassee. He also is a member of the A Healthy Florida Works coalition.
To view this online, go to http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2015/04/10/viewpoint-fix-health-care/25570885/.
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