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.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
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."
-----
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."
-----
To read this online at the Tampa Bay Times' site, go to http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-the-immoral-minority/2224999.
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