Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersMarch 24, 2017

As U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was gathering his conference and then announcing the failure of the Republican health care plan, many Florida Democrats were swiftly calling for bipartisan work to improve the Affordable Care Act instead. Republicans who opposed the bill also responded swiftly, calling for a better bill to be crafted, […]

Joe HendersonMarch 24, 2017

Anyone facing a dreaded disease themselves or watching a loved one go through it knows the frustration of seeking treatment. They want to know the system is on their side, but often it seems rigged against them. I think it’s safe to conclude U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th District, is on their side. […]

Associated PressMarch 23, 2017

Abandoning negotiations, President Donald Trump demanded a make-or-break vote on health care legislation in the House, threatening to leave “Obamacare” in place and move on to other issues if Friday’s vote fails. The risky move, part gamble and part threat, was presented to GOP lawmakers behind closed doors Thursday night after a long and intense […]

Scott PowersMarch 23, 2017

Calling attention to the potential of lost health insurance benefits to disabled, young, low-income and other people under the proposed American Health Care Act, a coalition of mostly progressive political activists asked Central Floridians to urge members of Congress to reform, not replace the Affordable Care Act. Their call, outside the Orlando offices of Republican […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2017

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson made his feelings known on the GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Spoiler: the Democrat from Florida’s 5th Congressional District stands in opposition, calling the Republican proposal “smoke and mirrors” in a Wednesday op-ed for the Tallahassee Democrat. Lawson’s editorial distilled familiar Democratic talking points: “Tax breaks to the wealthiest […]

Associated PressMarch 21, 2017

President Donald Trump signed legislation Tuesday adding human exploration of Mars to NASA’s mission. Could sending Congress into space be next? Flanked at an Oval Office bill-signing ceremony by astronauts and lawmakers, Trump observed that being an astronaut is a “pretty tough job.” He said he wasn’t sure he’d want it and, among lawmakers he […]

Associated PressMarch 21, 2017

President Donald Trump is rallying support for the Republican health care overhaul by taking his case directly to GOP lawmakers at the Capitol, two days before the House plans a climactic vote that poses an important early test for his presidency. Top House Republicans unveiled revisions to their bill in hopes of nailing down support. […]

Joe HendersonMarch 21, 2017

I could waste words here on President Donald Trump’s hallucinations about the truth, but why bother. Y’all know that story as well as I do. The president either is delusional or cynical about what the people will believe or maybe both. There is a bigger story, though, one that reduces all the drama about nonexistent wiretaps […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2017

Gus Bilirakis is sticking to his guns. After holding three town hall meetings earlier this year, the Tarpon Springs Republican congressman heard strong (and on occasion, impassioned) comments by some constituents urging him not support a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. But Bilirakis stayed consistently clear that he supported killing Obamacare. So, it […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 20, 2017

The governor of Puerto Rico has asked Gov. Rick Scott for his help in addressing the nation’s healthcare crisis. In a letter to Scott dated March 17, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said his administration is working hard to stabilize the current fiscal fiscal and economic crisis and to “put the island back on a path of […]

Tag: Affordable Care Act
Image via AP.

Florida Congress members react to GOP health care plan defeat

Joe Henderson: Gus Bilirakis keeps up fight to get medical drugs to market faster, easier

White House, in gamble, demands make-or-break health vote

Orlando activists urge Republicans to reform, not replace ACA

Al Lawson: GOP health care plan ‘smoke and mirrors’

Donald Trump signs NASA bill, ponders sending Congress to space

Donald Trump to Capitol in last-ditch lobbying for health care bill

Joe Henderson: No matter what comes out, Donald Trump’s true believers don’t seem to care

Gus Bilirakis all in on GOP health care proposal

Puerto Rico governor asks Rick Scott for help addressing health care crisis