Knowledge Base Public Policy | Public Policy Update |
|
|
|
Page 1 of 12 The Public Policy section is updated on a regular basis. While the Legislators are in Session from March to May there are many updates each day. After the session the updates are everyday with news of bills being signed or vetoes. During the year we work on FANO policy items for the upcoming year and other advocacy items. National public policy updates contiue year round.
Recent Research by Charity Navigator Highlights on Florida’s nonprofits in three top media regions. Charity Navigator - 2010 Metro Market Study - Miami Charity Navigator 2010 Metro Market Study - Orlando Charity Navigator 2010 Metro Market Study - Tampa Bay
Table of ContentsPage 2 - June 17 - 1 Billion in Medicare in Jepardy- Healthcare Reform Strengthening Federal Law for Florida Page 3 - May 10 - Nutrition and Congress Page 4 -April 27 - Activity Calendar at the Capitol Page 5 - April 26 - Census Announcemnt - Next Steps Page 6 - April 17 - Budget Conferece on Hold Page 7 - April 15 - Background Screening Bill March- 15 Library Funding March 8 Committee Assignments Page 8 - Rail Update - Special Session begins Dec 3 - Census Training Nov 12 Page 9 - October 2009 Page 10 - September 2009 Page 11 - June 2009 Page 11 - May 2009 Page 11 - April 2009 Freedom of Speech Litagation 6/17/2010$1B for FL Medicaid in Jeopardy Source: Jim Saunders 6/17/2010 © Health News FloridaExtra Medicaid funding worth $1 billion to Florida is in jeopardy following a defeat in the U.S. Senate Wednesday on a procedural vote of 52 to 45, with all Republicans and 12 Democrats in opposition. The vote was also a setback for an extension of some unemployment benefits and the so-called "doc fix," which would prevent sharp cuts in Medicare physician pay. But the anger of physicians and the angst of many states led Democratic leaders to come out late Wednesday with a scaled-back version of the measure. They predicted it would pass, according to the Associated Press, but the anti-deficit mood in the Senate left the bill's status uncertain. Politico reports that the Senate could make a decision as soon as this week -- important to Florida, since the fiscal year begins July 1. Florida legislative and health-industry officials have been watching the Senate debate closely, after the U.S. House left the increased Medicaid funding out of its version of the bill. The extra Medicaid funding would go toward hospitals, nursing homes and cancer research. A federal economic-stimulus plan passed last year provided the higher matching rate through Dec. 31, 2010, but extending it through June 30, 2011, would give about $1 billion in additional money to Florida. "If the delegation from Florida doesn't have the power to do it, maybe they (voters) ought to elect some new Congressmen,'' said state Sen. Durell Peaden, a Crestview Republican who is chairman of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee. Tony Marshall, an official with the Florida Health Care Association who closely monitors Medicaid funding for nursing homes, said he is hearing "very mixed signals, because everybody wants to do it, but because of the cost, they're having a hard time in the Senate getting it done.'' Florida lawmakers did not bank on the increased matching money as part of their core budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year. But they included contingency language about how the money would be used if Florida receives its share. Among the highest-profile issues in limbo: about $50 million in additional money for financially troubled Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Also, lawmakers set aside about $20 million of the potential money for cancer research. Paul Belcher, a senior vice president for the Florida Hospital Association, said the extension could mean an additional $344 million for hospitals and other health-care programs. Lawmakers expected to use about $57 million to help offset Medicaid nursing-home rate cuts. Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed those rate cuts, so the federal money is not as critical to nursing homes as it might have been. But Marshall said receiving the federal money would allow savings in state tax dollars that would otherwise have to go to nursing homes. They also planned to use part of the Medicaid money to help bolster the state's budget reserves. Peaden said receiving the additional federal money is particularly important because the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico likely will reduce sales-tax and property-tax collections --- making Florida's budget problems worse in the future. "We're going to have some bad times,'' Peaden said. --Capital Bureau Chief Jim Saunders can be reached at 850-228-0963 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
***** THE NEXT STAGE OF HEALTH CARE REFORM: How Florida can strengthen and improve the federal lawThe new federal health care reform law puts state leaders in the driver’s seat, according to a new report by consumer advocacy group Florida PIRG (The Florida Public Interest Research Group). Delivering on the Promise shows how state policy makers can implement and improve on the law to ensure it offers the best deal to consumers. “The new law gives states the tools – and funding – they need to make fundamental improvements in health care,” said Brad Ashwell, Advocate with Florida PIRG. “Now, whether Floridians actually see lower costs, higher quality, and more stable coverage is up to our leaders in Tallahassee.” Among the central opportunities is the law’s call for each state to create and run an “exchange” – a health insurance purchasing pool for individuals and small businesses. The report lays out key recommendations to make the exchange a powerful force for consumers:
· States must ensure that the exchange’s governance is transparent, accountable, and responsive to consumers’ interests, not those of the insurance industry. “The exchange can be a real game-changer, giving individual consumers and small businesses the equivalent of a large employer’s human resources department negotiating rates for them. And by providing clear information and easy-to-use comparisons on insurance plans, it will promote competition,” said Ashwell. “But if state policymakers miss the boat, it won’t be much more than an Expedia page for health insurance.” The new law also offers grant funding to help states adopt important reforms to: · Encourage high-quality, low-cost treatment by investing in primary care, programs to prevent chronic diseases from turning acute, and reforms to improve coordination of care when many doctors treat the same patient. · Set up programs to review premium increases before they go into effect, protecting consumers from unjustified rate hikes and informing them about where their dollars are going. · Create temporary purchasing pools for consumers with pre-existing conditions who otherwise could not get coverage. “There are billions of dollars of grant funds available to support stronger consumer protections and invest in innovative approaches to care. Florida should be in the lead in taking advantage of these federal dollars,” continued Ashwell. State leaders also have the chance to improve on the achievements of the federal law. The report outlines approaches that can save money and improve care, such as streamlining administrative paperwork, limiting abusive pharmaceutical company marketing practices, and investing in ground-breaking health IT systems to give doctors more powerful tools. And while the federal law ultimately did not include a public health insurance option, states have the ability to create one to serve their own residents. “The bottom line is that our own policymakers and advocates need to step up and lead if Florida is going to see relief from the rising cost of health care,” concluded Ashwell. “D.C. had its turn in the sun – now it’s Florida’s time to shine.” The report is available online by clicking here. Source: Brad Ashwell, Florida PIRG 850.294.1008 (cell) This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
||||||||||||||
