Topic: Health Insurance

Lawmakers failed to reach agreement on addressing a physician shortage and resolving a trauma center dispute but did agree to prop up the Low Income Pool for at least another year.

A proposal initially designed to rescue three HCA-trauma centers from a court challenge now allows highly trained nurses to practice independently and includes telemedicine regulations.

The proposal sailed through three committees but state economists say it is not clear how it will affect state worker insurance policies.

Proponents of the bill say it will lay the groundwork for the future of medicine. Opponents say quality control is a concern.

SB 1354 would expand a formula used by State Managed Medical Assistance contracts.

Large pharmacies can handle unannounced audits but they frustrate small business owners without the staff to accommodate auditor's requests, according to Sen. Aaron Bean.

The state's on-line health exchange does not offer insurance or financial subsidies to offset costs to consumers. The state-run exchange is designed to provide gap coverage in the form of discount cards and prepaid plans for certain services.

Republican leaders in the Legislature say they intend to address a physician shortage in the state and Democrats say they will continue a push to expand Medicaid; citing the opportunity to use federal money to provide coverage to the uninsured and to boost the economy.

Officials say consumer interest in the on-line marketplace is so great they are worried whether the site has the technical capability to handle the expected volume of visitors. FHC officials declined to release any specific visitor numbers to the site but did say they were 10 times more than anticipated.

Lawmakers may have rejected the Affordable Care Act but they did sign off on a plan to set up a state exchange where insurers can sell gap coverage for policies offered on the federal ACA exchange.

Lawmakers appear to be embracing digital technology and real-time video and audio to relieve a physician shortage in the state. Tuesday, the Senate Health Policy Committee will continue work on an all-encompassing proposal to establish a regulatory structure allowing health care providers to use technology to provide services in rural and isolated locations.

Governor Rick Scott touts his economic record at the annual state Republican conference in Orlando on Saturday.

The first of two straight committee weeks begin this week. Lawmakers will consider issues such as school assessment programs, stand your ground, the DEO's CONNECT system, flood insurance, child welfare and medical marjuana. December 2013 campaign finance reports also are due. ... Related Research: Stay up-to-date on all legislative events with the LobbyTools Agenda Calendar.

Rep. Travis Cummings' proposal would not require insurers to pay the same reimbursement rate for doctor visits when the physician and patient are in different locations.