Christine Jordan Sexton
Gov. Rick Scott‘s blue ribbon health care and hospital commission meets in two weeks but the governor’s office remains quiet on the appointments.
Scott created the commission via executive order this past week. The order doesn’t mention how many members would be on the commission or whether any would be lawmakers but it did note the governor would appoint the executive director and that it would be staffed by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Although details haven’t been released, the governor’s office clearly is working on the issue. In a Friday letter to safety net hospital providers the governor asks the hospitals by May 22 prepare at least three scenarios in how $3.7 billion in profits could be shared among safety net hospitals, including Shands Jacksonville. He asks that the information be submitted on May 22 because the commission will meet May 26.
Three senators — Eleanor Sobel, Rene Garcia and Alan Hays — have expressed an interest in being on the board and there has been interest among the lobbying corps as well.
Scott’s office has reached out to the for-profit hospital industry requesting that they provide recommendations for commission members. The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida said in a news release that it would “welcome seats at the commission table” given the role the hospitals play in the state’s health care system.
The Florida Chamber and National Federation of Independent Business Florida also have had conversations with the governor’s office about places on the commission.
