Topic: Federal Health Care Reform

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

Sen. Garcia and Rep. Murphy say they still think GOP opposition can be overcome. The two lawmakers joined with small-business owners and health care providers Wednesday to urge lawmakers to extend coverage to the uninsured. Garcia and Murphy are sponsoring bills similar to the one the Senate unanimously approved last year.

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.

Committees in both chambers are looking to expand scope of practice for nurses and allow them to provide more health care services free from supervision by a doctor. The House held a three-hour workshop Monday on a proposal that would allow an advanced nurse practitioner to practice independently regardless of specialty.

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.

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

The Department of Health estimates Florida needs an additional 2,700 practicing physicians to reach the national average of doctors per 1,000 residents. One possible solution is granting more authority to advance practice nurses; freeing them from mandatory supervision by a doctor and giving them more flexibility to prescribe medicine and order tests. ... Related Research: Jan. 10, 2014 House Select Committee on Health Care Workforce Innovation meeting materials and video.

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.

Fighting back against the tide of criticism, the Obama administration touted the successes of the health care program in a statewide conference call on Friday that included a top White House aide and Democratic State Rep. Lori Berman.

The statewide Viva 500 time capsule was sealed and buried on New Year's Eve. Inside are photos, music and legal documents that will provide insight into Florida circa 2013 when the capsule is opened in 81 years. ... Related Research: Items Contained in the Viva Florida 500 Statewide Time Capsule 2013-2095.

Senate President Don Gaetz and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius exchanged letters during the summer about Medicaid expansion options. Although leading Florida Republicans say Washington is inflexible to find a Florida solution, Sebelius says HHS "is available to discuss this by phone or in person." ... Related Research: Letters to Senate President Don Gaetz, HHS Secretary Sebelius, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Gov. Rick Scott contends, "It's a bad bill" that should be repealed. An optimistic Crist said that "the more people get to know about it" the more they will accept the plan -- once it gets straightened out."

Florida is producing the largest enrollment numbers among the three dozen states where the federal government is running insurance exchanges for consumers. Gov. Rick Scott speaking with Bloomberg TV said the best way to get health insurance is to get a job.