Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Gary FineoutMarch 11, 2016

The Florida Legislature is expected on Friday to approve a more than $82.3 billion budget for 2016-17 that is roughly 5 percent larger than this year’s budget. Here are a few key items you should know about: – EDUCATION: The new budget increases day-to-day public school spending by $458 million, which translates into a 1 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2016

A Senate panel on Tuesday OK’d a measure that would ban the practice of “balance billing,” when insurance companies often unexpectedly slam a customer with a high bill for using an out-of-network health care provider. The measure (SB 1442), carried by GOP state Sen. Rene Garcia of Hialeah, now moves from the Banking and Insurance […]

Associated PressSeptember 16, 2015

The rate of Floridians without health insurance dropped to 16.6 percent this past year. Figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that represents a drop of 3.4 percentage points from a rate of 20 percent in 2013. Despite the drop, Florida still had the third-highest rate of residents without health insurance. Only Texas […]

Associated PressAugust 26, 2015

Premiums for most health insurance policies sold on the federal exchange are increasing for Floridians this year, but state regulators used new authority to negotiate lower rates so the hikes aren’t as big as they could have been, according to filings released Wednesday by the Office of Insurance Regulation. Aetna requested a 21 percent increase […]

Shannon NickinsonAugust 18, 2015

Pensacola has officially embarked on a new chapter in the 130-year history of a community institution of health and wellness. The new downtown branch of the Northwest Florida YMCA will be — if all of the fundraising goals are met — a $15 million, 52,000-square-foot facility with an aquatic center, a gymnasium, a wellness center, […]

Guest AuthorJuly 22, 2015

Healthcare continues to be at the center of debate in Florida’s Capitol. But while many focus on the number of Floridians covered by some form of health insurance, equal attention should be paid to the factors driving the costs of delivering healthcare. These costs affect everyone: the insured, the uninsured, employers and the State. If […]

Christine Jordan SextonJune 25, 2015

In a major victory for the Obama administration, tax subsidies are available to all those who enroll in an Obamacare plan whether it was purchased through a state or federal health insurance exchange, the Supreme Court said in a 6-3 ruling, affirming the decision of the Fourth Circuit court. The decision in King v. Burwell would have jeopardized upward […]

Marc YachtJune 24, 2015

The Washington Post commented in 2014 that since Republicans took control of the House they have voted 54 times to undo, revamp or change Obamacare. Those unsuccessful efforts have cost taxpayers a bundle and wasted lawmaker time, time better spent attending the nation’s needs. The anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling on King v. Burwell will […]

Marc YachtJune 17, 2015

The Florida House’s rejection of Medicaid expansion money affects more than just the poor. A recent Tampa Bay Times editorial outlined 25 reasons to accept the federal money. Because of House members’ rejection, 800,000 low-income Floridians are now shut out of health care coverage. Many working poor who now pay high premiums for Obamacare face […]

Julie DelegalJune 15, 2015

State Rep. Mia Jones tried. In the spirit of compromise, the Democrat from Jacksonville moved right to embrace the health care-expansion plan backed by the Florida Senate: the Florida Healthcare Affordability Insurance Exchange, aka FHIX. Jones told The Jacksonville Times-Union that she had set aside her doubts about the plan and would “stand on the […]

Tag: health insurance

Highlights from Florida’s new $82.3 billion budget

Balance billing measure clears 2nd Senate panel

Rate of uninsured drops to 16.6 percent in Florida

Most health insurers raise 2016 Florida Obamacare rates

Shannon Nickinson: Pensacola takes step to break unhealthy tradition

Wayne W. Oliver: Proposal could cut malpractice costs, preserve physician-patient relationship

King v. Burwell decision: ACA subsidies remain available to all, Supreme Court rules

Marc Yacht: Republicans now fret high court may boot Obamacare

Marc Yacht: Universal health care access must come to U.S.

Julie Delegal: Health care defeated by politics of personal resentment