Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannFebruary 25, 2016

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Thursday several bills with some cost-saving measures for health providers. The bills now head to the Senate floor. LobbyTools is reporting on SB 1686, sponsored by Fernandina Beach Republican Sen. Aaron Bean, which will allow Florida’s health care practitioners to provide telehealth services. The bill creates a task force under the Agency […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 17, 2016

A measure sponsored by Palm Harbor Republican Rep. Chris Sprowls to provide more transparency about health care costs advanced in the House Health & Human Services Committee on Wednesday. Sprowls said that among the provisions in the bill (HB 1175) would include allowing access for patients to learn about specific cost assessments that hospitals charge, as […]

Ryan RayFebruary 16, 2016

The Senate Health Policy Committee on Tuesday heard a workshop about changes to the state’s managed-care plans as they relate to pharmacists. The state Agency for Health Care Administration’s Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Justin Senior said the current plan works just fine, with providers abiding by strict time and distance standards: the maximum time from a pharmacy […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 26, 2016

Efforts to expand telehealth options in Florida are moving through the state Legislature, and the state Senate on Tuesday approved a measure (SB 1686) aimed at improving access. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, defines telehealth, creates a telehealth task force, and authorizes healthcare practitioners in Florida to participate in telehealth. The measure passed […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 14, 2016

The Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, chaired by Hollywood Democratic Sen. Eleanor Sobel, on Thursday unanimously passed Senate Bill 12, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, sponsored by Hialeah Republican Sen. Rene Garcia to improve the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. “Our current system of behavioral health services is fragmented […]

Ryan RayJanuary 14, 2016

It’s no secret Gov. Rick Scott, former health care CEO, has a newfound zeal for protecting Floridians from mayhem wrought by allegedly out-of-control hospitals and providers. Scott insists on more regulations, disclosure, and even criminal penalties for providers who charge “unconscionable” rates. He has even gone so as far to say a bill towards that end currently […]

Mitch PerryAugust 19, 2015

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Protests are scheduled for this Saturday in front of Planned Parenthood facilities across the country, including 14 locations throughout Florida. More than 50 pro-life groups are listed as members of the “ProtestPP” National Day of Protest coalition. According to the organizers’ website, the goal is to “raise awareness of the heartless and even illegal activities of Planned […]

Mitch PerryAugust 16, 2015

The politically divisive cultural war over abortion rights have resurfaced with a vengeance this summer. The latest flashpoint has centered around a series of edited videotapes that appear to show administrators from Planned Parenthood detailing how fetal tissue drawn from abortions was used in medical research. On Friday, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson moved to cut the state’s funding […]

Frank TorresJuly 29, 2015

State Rep. Mike La Rosa is applauding Gov. Rick Scott‘s decision to investigate Florida’s Planned Parenthood clinics to ensure full compliance with state law. After a video surfaced showing a Planned Parenthood executive allegedly negotiating a potential deal to sell donated tissue, La Rosa publicly condemned the organization. Representatives of Planned Parenthood have since denied such activities, saying the […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 5, 2015

The Florida Senate was in session for less than five minutes on Friday before adjourning. Senate President Andy Gardiner announced that the House and Senate had agreed to budget allocations and that the two chambers would begin hammering out the differences in the proposed spending plans for the 2015-16 fiscal year beginning at 9 a.m. […]

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Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Senate committee passes series of cost-saving health care proposals

Transparency, telehealth bills advance in House committee

Small pharmacies oppose efforts to tighten managed-care networks

Capitol Reax: Telehealth, Dozier School for Boys, dental plans, economic incentives

Senate committee passes legislation to improve delivery of mental health, substance abuse services

Amid debate, FHA unveils new health care info site

Pro-Life groups call for weekend protests at Planned Parenthood facilities

Planned Parenthood to respond to Rick Scott on Monday

Mike La Rosa lauds Rick Scott for investigation into Planned Parenthood

Finally … chambers set for Saturday conference on budget