Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

The biggest political setback for the Donald Trump administration, thus far: the failure to get the American Health Care Act even to the House floor. The administration’s attempts to message its health care reform legislation were short-lived. However, one of the key theaters in that effort was Jacksonville, where VP Mike Pence, Gov. Rick Scott, and Mayor Lenny Curry messaged on […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 25, 2017

As VP Mike Pence prepared to come to Jacksonville last Saturday to sell the American Health Care Act to Florida, some of the best members of the media dreaded it. A TV person’s reaction: “Oh, God, I hope I don’t get called in.” A print guy’s take: “I hate watching these politician events.” In the end, neither of […]

Associated PressMarch 23, 2017

Abandoning negotiations, President Donald Trump demanded a make-or-break vote on health care legislation in the House, threatening to leave “Obamacare” in place and move on to other issues if Friday’s vote fails. The risky move, part gamble and part threat, was presented to GOP lawmakers behind closed doors Thursday night after a long and intense […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2017

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson made his feelings known on the GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare. Spoiler: the Democrat from Florida’s 5th Congressional District stands in opposition, calling the Republican proposal “smoke and mirrors” in a Wednesday op-ed for the Tallahassee Democrat. Lawson’s editorial distilled familiar Democratic talking points: “Tax breaks to the wealthiest […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 22, 2017

As the U.S. House prepares to vote this week on the American Health Care Act, Senate Democrats are messaging against the bill. On Tuesday, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee dropped a new television ad and launched a digital campaign around a hashtag: #FightWealthcare. From the DSCC press release: “The campaign features the DSCC’s first television […]

Guest AuthorMarch 22, 2017

This month marks seven long and daunting years since Obamacare was signed into the law. Seven years of broken promises. Seven years of skyrocketing premiums and fewer options. Seven years of tax increases, mandates and penalties. Seven years of families and hard working Americans having to make the choice between putting food on the table, […]

Associated PressMarch 21, 2017

President Donald Trump is rallying support for the Republican health care overhaul by taking his case directly to GOP lawmakers at the Capitol, two days before the House plans a climactic vote that poses an important early test for his presidency. Top House Republicans unveiled revisions to their bill in hopes of nailing down support. […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2017

Gus Bilirakis is sticking to his guns. After holding three town hall meetings earlier this year, the Tarpon Springs Republican congressman heard strong (and on occasion, impassioned) comments by some constituents urging him not support a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. But Bilirakis stayed consistently clear that he supported killing Obamacare. So, it […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 20, 2017

The governor of Puerto Rico has asked Gov. Rick Scott for his help in addressing the nation’s healthcare crisis. In a letter to Scott dated March 17, Gov. Ricardo Rossello said his administration is working hard to stabilize the current fiscal fiscal and economic crisis and to “put the island back on a path of […]

Staff ReportsMarch 18, 2017

Saturday saw United States Vice-President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Rick Scott talking about what Pence called “the Obamacare nightmare” with small business owners in Jacksonville. Scott, who closed out the news week reprising a familiar call to allow the states to administer Medicaid via block grants, has worked closely with President Donald Trump and his administration on possible alternatives to the […]

Tag: obamacare
Image via AP

Despite AHCA punt, Rick Scott and Lenny Curry want to ‘repeal and replace’ Obamacare

How Mike Pence wasted Jacksonville’s time

White House, in gamble, demands make-or-break health vote

Al Lawson: GOP health care plan ‘smoke and mirrors’

Democratic Senators: GOP ‘wealthcare’ will hit Floridians in pocketbooks

Dennis Ross: Obamacare a mistake; time to repeal, replace

Donald Trump to Capitol in last-ditch lobbying for health care bill

Gus Bilirakis all in on GOP health care proposal

Puerto Rico governor asks Rick Scott for help addressing health care crisis

Mike Pence: ‘Florida can’t afford Obamacare anymore’