Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayJune 1, 2015

Health care committees in the House and Senate on Monday discussed the same proposal to expand health care access to the uninsured–SB 2A–in Florida. But it might not have sounded like it. In a “Tale of Two Cities”-esque tableau, the Senate discussed the bill for one hour before unanimously agreeing to pass it with sponsor […]

Gary FineoutJune 1, 2015

FloridaΓÇÖs_Historic_Capitol_and_Florida_State_Capitol_2-1024x1024.jpg

The Florida Legislature began its 20-day Special Session on Monday, with legislative leaders sounding more open to compromise as they race against the clock to pass a new state budget. The conciliatory tone espoused by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner was different than just a few weeks ago when the Republican-controlled […]

Julie DelegalMay 31, 2015

The Florida Legislature reconvenes Monday in a special session to do its only real job – pass a budget. The impasse, between Republicans in the House and Republicans in the Senate over expanding healthcare for uninsured Floridians, prompted House members to pick up their ball and leave the playground three days before the regular session’s […]

Julie DelegalMay 31, 2015

The Florida Legislature reconvenes Monday in a special session to do its only real job – pass a budget. The impasse, between Republicans in the House and Republicans in the Senate over expanding healthcare for uninsured Floridians, prompted House members to pick up their ball and leave the playground three days before the regular session’s […]

Christine Jordan SextonMay 22, 2015

With a little more than a week to go before the start of the 2015 Special Session details of plans continue to emerge. In a memo sent to senators, Senate President Andy Gardiner outlined the timeline he plans to follow during the session, showing that the chamber will focus on health care access the first […]

Phil AmmannApril 27, 2015

A Lakeland hospice forced to close by the state over a paperwork error is near reopening by way of a bill passed last week by the Legislature. On Friday, both the Senate and House passed HB 441, giving Compassionate Care Hospice (CCH) on Drane Field Road access to an expedited process to reapply for its license. […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 23, 2015

US_Navy_110307-N-OV243-081_Nurse_practitioner_Tiffany_Holm_performs_a_routine_physical_on_Willie_Benjamin_at_the_Tricare_Outpatient_Clinic-Clairemo-1024x1024.jpg

The Senate Appropriations Committee quickly moved a health care train Thursday with little-to-no debate. The underlying nursing bill became a “train” after the committee tagged on two House priorities: direct primary care and site selection for new veteran nursing homes or HBs 7047 and 7045, respectively. Both bills were developed by the House Health Innovation Subcommittee. […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 22, 2015

The Legislature should focus its efforts on securing continued supplemental Medicaid funding for Florida hospitals but not push ahead with a plan to provide health insurance access to uninsured Floridians. So said Florida Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Wilson in a memo Wednesday. The memo, directed to the Chamber’s board of directors and […]

Christine Jordan SextonApril 20, 2015

a-conversation-with-florida-senate-president-don-gaetz-1c8bb35c-1024x1024.jpeg

A Senate committee tagged a controversial health care bill to a measure expanding the scope of practice for Florida’s nurses, a priority for the Florida House this year. The Senate Rules Committee on Monday committee agreed to tack on an amendment to CS/CS/SB 614 that would allow doctors to override step therapy protocols within 24 hours if a […]

Peter SchorschApril 16, 2015

After years of legislative legwork and heated debate — occasionally before a national audience — Sen. Nancy Detert may land her Senate tenure’s Moby Dick at long last. Her proposal to establish state incentives for Florida-based film and entertainment projects is alive and moving through the process. Language similar to Detert’s SB 1046 has come close […]

Tag: Aaron Bean
Please stay aware ... and safe.

Dueling committee presentations on FHIX plan show merits of health care expansion all in the eye of the beholder

Florida legislators return with plan to end budget stalemate

Julie Delegal: Are poor less worthy of American Dream that includes healthcare?

Julie Delegal: Are poor less worthy of American Dream that includes healthcare?

Andy Gardiner releases Special Session schedule: health care first, budget 2nd

Bill to reopen Lakeland hospice goes to governor’s desk

Senate panel OKs nursing bill; it’s now a health care train

Chamber says focus should be Medicaid financing, not expansion

Step therapy amendment added to latest health care train bill

Entertainment incentives finally moving forward in Legislature