Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorMay 29, 2018

Recently the Florida Association of Health Plans, Inc. (FAHP) joined with consumer advocates to eliminate the practice of balance billing — which far too often overwhelmed Florida families with surprise medical bills above their insurance coverage after they or a loved one were in a catastrophic accident. Thanks to the Florida Legislature’s recognition that this […]

Jim RosicaMay 9, 2017

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A day after the end of the 2017 Legislative Session, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum on Monday called on state lawmakers to pass a bill “strengthening insurance protections for those with pre-existing conditions.” Gillum, the sitting mayor of Tallahassee, appeared at the Florida Press Center with two local women who told of their family members’ […]

Staff ReportsMarch 21, 2017

The Florida Health Care Association has made carving out nursing homes from the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program their top priority, touting its ability to save the state money. However, a new roadblock may have just made that task infinitely more challenging. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) recently released an agency bill […]

Drew WilsonMarch 9, 2017

The Florida Association of Health Plans will release a series of videos during the 2017 Legislative Session to highlight how help plans help Floridians. “As the 2017 Legislative Session gets underway and discussion and debate on the health care environment in our state continues, FAHP is launching the ‘Florida Patients Matter’ campaign and video series […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 24, 2017

A recent study by the Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability into how effective managed care plans are at providing dental care appeared to be inconclusive, agency officials said this week. OPPAGA was tasked with looking into how effectively managed care plans are at providing dental care under a contentious 2016 law. The […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 8, 2016

A bill that may change how Medicaid programs provide dental care to children is headed to the governor. The Florida Senate on Monday voted 35-2 to approve a measure (HB 819) could remove dental services from the list of minimum benefits under the state’s Medicaid managed care plans. Among other things, the bill requires the […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 17, 2016

The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday voted 5-3 to approve a bill that targets funding for family planning and women’s health. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kelli Stargel, says clinics that offer abortion services, like Planned Parenthood, are prohibited from receiving state funding. Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 16, 2016

The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved a proposal (SB 1442) that bans the practice of balance billing. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia, is backed by CFO Jeff Atwater, who has said he wants consumers to pay no more than that what they would pay had they been in-network. Audrey Brown, president […]

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 […]

Ryan RayJanuary 26, 2016

Despite some pushback from health insurance carriers, the Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee approved a bill to reform children’s dental coverage by creating an independent program to administer it under the state’s Medicaid regime. The bill, SB 994, is sponsored by newly minted Senate President-to-be Sen. Joe Negron. Negron said the state’s participation levels in the program […]

Tag: Florida Association of Health Plans

Audrey Brown: Ending balance billing practices by air ambulances in FL

Andrew Gillum calls for ‘strengthening’ Obamacare in Florida

Hefty price tag added to long-term care carve out

Florida Association of Health Plans launches video series

House panel gets update on dental carve out law

Controversial dental bill clears Senate, now heads to governor

Capitol Reax: Abortion, Florida Keys Stewardship Act, certificates of need, guns, balance billing, gaming

Capitol Reax: Balanced billing, incentives

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

Senate Health budget panel advances children’s Medicaid dental proposal