Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschJanuary 2, 2019

With Election 2018 in the rearview mirror — and a new raft of elected officials set to take over the Capitol and elsewhere this year — it’s time to look at who’ll be the political players in 2019. The much-discussed “blue wave” didn’t materialize as expected in Florida, though for the first time in eight […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 30, 2018

fl-reg-aids-healthcare-foundation-medicaid-20180329.jpg

The largest nonprofit AIDS health care provider in the nation is at risk of being blocked out of South Florida’s Medicaid market. AIDS Healthcare Foundation attorneys filed a written protest and requested a hearing after its managed-care division was not among the health plans selected to negotiate with state Medicaid officials to continue providing care […]

Peter SchorschAugust 15, 2017

Last week, the Trump administration approved Florida’s request for the long-anticipated Medicaid 1115 waiver. The waiver increases funding in the Low Income Pool to $1.5 billion, which will help cover the costs of uncompensated care in our state. Tucked into that significant budget is a comparatively small – but incredibly important – budget crumb of […]

Staff ReportsMay 5, 2017

On Friday, the scheduled last day of the 2017 legislative session, the Florida Senate confirmed Gov. Rick Scott‘s picks to run the state’s health care agencies. The Senate approved Justin Senior to head the Agency for Health Care Administration and Celeste Philip to lead the Department of Health as Florida’s Surgeon General. The Florida Medical […]

Florence SnyderApril 17, 2017

One hour isn’t much time for a Senate subcommittee “confirmation hearing” on the heads of the agencies as important to “health and human services” as the Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration. But that’s what Health and Human Services Subcommittee Chair Anitere Flores allotted, and not one second longer. So, you’d think […]

Mitch PerryDecember 13, 2016

A host of groups and individuals – led by the Florida ACLU – have filed a lawsuit in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Florida challenging a state law that requires groups to register with the state and pay a fee if they advise or help women seek abortions. The lawsuit also challenges a […]

Phil AmmannOctober 10, 2016

Beth Kidder is Florida’s new interim deputy secretary for Medicaid, overseeing the state’s nearly $26 billion state program that pays health costs for the poor. Christine Sexton of POLITICO Florida reports the announcement was made Oct. 6 in an email to Agency for Health Care Administration employees. In the current year budget, Sexton writes, the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterSeptember 21, 2016

Jeffrey Bragg has been tapped to head up Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs. Bragg will replace Sam Verghese, the current Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs, according to Gov. Rick Scott’s Office. Verghese, the Governor’s Office announced Wednesday, is stepping down to pursue options in the private sector. Verghese’s last day is Sept. 23. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 21, 2016

Liz Dudek, who moved up the ranks at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration to become its leader, is retiring from the agency effective Oct. 3. “Liz has been a part of my team since my first year in office and has spent over four decades serving Florida families,” Gov. Rick Scott said in […]

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 […]

Tag: Justin Senior

50 Florida politicos to watch in 2019

AIDS foundation fights getting shut out of Medicaid

Tear down AHCA’s roadblocks to health centers’ delivery of quality care

Senate confirms Justin Senior, Celeste Philip

Florence Snyder: Florida’s opioid crisis, Part 5 – Hey Florida, talk to the hand!

ACLU files suit challenging Florida law requiring those who advise a woman considering an abortion to register with the state

Personnel Note: Beth Kidder named interim deputy secretary for Medicaid

Rick Scott appoints Jeffrey Bragg as the Secretary of Elder Affairs

Secretary Liz Dudek to retire from AHCA

Small pharmacies oppose efforts to tighten managed-care networks