Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressMay 25, 2016

Nearly a dozen health insurers are proposing rate increases averaging 13 percent for 2017 Florida plans sold on the exchanges created under President Barack Obama‘s health care law, but that won’t necessarily mean big consumer price hikes. The largest increase is a whopping 44 percent requested by one Humana plan. Aetna wants a 29 percent […]

Peter SchorschApril 15, 2016

U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff touts his time as Chair of Gov. Rick Scott‘s Kabuki theater-style Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding as relevant experience to dealing with the Affordable Care Act and other complicated health care issues in Congress. But that wasn’t always the case. In fact, just earlier this year Beruff said he knows “zero” about health care, […]

Julie DelegalApril 11, 2016

In Florida, we’ve been swamped with dueling videos. Video one depicts activist Cara Jennings yelling at Gov. Rick Scott, calling him a name, shaming him for being rich. Video two depicts Scott shooting back in an attack ad, insulting Jennings’ character, providing his stock answer for everything while skirting the issue at hand. Cue the […]

Phil AmmannMarch 10, 2016

On Wednesday, the Senate passed an omnibus health care bill after approving a number of amendments. LobbyTools reports that the bill (HB 85) is now going back to the House. After several changes proposed by Sen. Don Gaetz, the bill now combines several House priorities with Senate plans. One substantial amendment from Gaetz rewrites the House […]

Phil AmmannMarch 2, 2016

The Florida House sent several bills to the Senate seeking to cut health care costs by changing laws regulating health providers. On Wednesday, the House passed a number of bills: HB 37, which restores the patient-physician relationship through the use of Direct Primary Care; HB 85, extending the length of time a patient can stay in […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 28, 2016

Rick Scott is at it again, calling for more government meddling in health care, by featuring a plan for government-regulated prices on inpatient admissions, outpatient visits and other medical procedures. Scott may have consistently paid lip service to the idea of free-market competition, but in 2016, he has renewed a push for legislation that, if […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 20, 2016

Those long waits in a doctor’s office may soon be a distant memory. The House select committee on affordable healthcare access signed off on a proposed committee bill Wednesday that allows health care professionals to use telehealth to provide health care services. The committee voted 14-0 to introduce the measure as a committee bill. Among […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 19, 2016

Sen. Don Gaetz used his appearance before the Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding to outline several health care proposals before the state Legislature during the 2016 Session. The Niceville Republican, also used his appearance to remind members of Gov. Rick Scott’s commission that all recommendations are subject to an objective, nonpolitical analysis. “When it comes […]

Phil AmmannDecember 9, 2015

Quietly, with little fanfare, Marco Rubio has single-handedly shaken the foundation of the Affordable Care Act, putting President Barack Obama’s signature health care law into question. First reported by Robert Pear of The New York Times, the Florida senator and presidential candidate last year slipped in a little-noticed provision into a massive spending bill, which […]

Phil AmmannNovember 17, 2015

Florida’s Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to the upcoming Legislative Session with a new blueprint for the effort to advance jobs, economic growth and opportunity in the Sunshine State. Now entering its 100th year, the Chamber unveiled its 2016 Legislative Agenda during a Tuesday news conference at the Florida Capitol. The Florida Legislature is […]

Tag: healthcare

Florida insurers request rate hikes under federal health law

Carlos Beruff says he knew “zero” about health care

Julie Delegal: Rant at Starbucks raised legitimate issues

Senate approves omnibus health care bill

House sends Senate a variety of health care cost-saving measures

As Rick Scott travels to D.C. for hospital transparency talk, he again pushes price-fixing proposal at home

House healthcare panel backs measure allowing telehealth options

Don Gaetz outlines Senate health care proposals for governor’s health care panel

With little fanfare, Marco Rubio single-handedly sabotages Affordable Care Act

Florida Chamber unveils ambitious plan for job growth, diversified economy in 2016