Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Sen. Don Gaetz used his appearance before the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding to outline several health care proposals before the state Legislature during the 2016 Session.
The Niceville Republican, also used his appearance to remind members of Gov. Rick Scott’s commission that all recommendations are subject to an objective, nonpolitical analysis.
“When it comes to estimating whether how much a proposed policy will affect cost, everyone is entitled to his opinion, but not everyone is entitled to his own set of facts,” said Gaetz. “Any of us can hire a consultant to give us the numbers we want, but because Florida has to balance its budget with real dollars, definitive cost analysis on major proposals from the governor or Legislature is performed by the state economist and the Office of Economic and Demographic Research.”
The state economist has reviewed how legislation similar to those proposed in the state House and Senate has affected costs elsewhere, and Gaetz said it appears proposals “may have some merit in expanding access or improving quality, but only marginal effect on overall costs.”
Several proposals aimed at the health care industry have been filed this legislative session. One measure (SB 1496) aims to increase the availability of health care pricing and quality of service information.
Among other things, the measure, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, would require health care facilities to provide a written good faith estimate of anticipated facility charges; an itemized bill or statement within seven days of a patient being discharged; and requires facilities to establish a method of responding to billing questions within seven days after it is received.
Bradley’s proposal is scheduled to get its first Senate hearing on Tuesday; a similar House bill (HB 1175) sponsored by Rep. Chris Sprowls is scheduled for its first hearing Wednesday.
Scott and his office have said the bill does not go far enough, calling for more comprehensive reform.
Gaetz highlighted several other pieces of legislation, including two of his proposals — one that limits the use of taxpayer funds for “excessive severance pay, signing bonuses and other out-of-line compensation paid to hospital executives” and another that would “limit insurance companies’ power to overrule doctors.”
“Health care is not an issue that can be reduced to a slogan or a bumper sticker or a sound bite. Not if we want to be honest. That is why advisory groups like yours are important,” he told the commission. “We need your heads in the huddle, not just the experts and the providers. The Senate looks forward to your substantive recommendations which we will then pair with the state economist’s cost calculations. And we will welcome you to criticize or support any of the bills being considered this session of the Legislature.”
Scott formed the commission last year and tasked it to look into the role of taxpayer funding for hospitals, insurers and healthcare providers. Tuesday marked the commission’s final meeting.
