To close out the recent 2023 Florida State of Reform Health Policy Conference, it was an honor to have Simone Marstiller, former secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, deliver the Closing Keynote. Drawing on her experience during her tenure leading the state’s Medicaid program, Marstiller offered her input on current health policy movement … Read more
This edition includes coverage of a bill to prohibit Medicaid coverage of step therapy, a report showing the significant contribution Florida hospitals make to the state’s economy, and information about upcoming Medicaid redeterminations. Thanks for reading! Eli Kirshbaum State of Reform 1. Legislature looks to eliminate step therapy in Medicaid We’re monitoring the progress … Read more
Our first Florida newsletter of 2023 features a conversation with newly appointed House health committee Chair Rep. Randy Fine about his priorities for this session, a breakdown of some of the health-related funding proposals in Gov. Ron DeSantis’s recently released FY 2023-2024 budget, and information on how healthcare leaders in the state are preparing for … Read more
The Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board (FHIAB), which provides counsel to the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the legislature, and other entities, heard 8 legislative recommendations centered around increasing policyholder protections at a meeting on Thursday. Louisa McQueeney, Communications Director for Florida Voices for Health and who represents … Read more
Community Health of South Florida, Inc (CHI), a federally-qualified health center, received $700,000 in state funds to expand comprehensive primary and behavioral care and medical professional training when the 2022-2023 state budget went into effect July 1st. Sen. Ileana Garcia’s (R–Miami-Dade) presented a ceremonial check to CHI last Thursday. Garcia, who chairs the Committee on … Read more
Florida pharmacies will receive a new set of audit protections from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) next month, thanks to a bill passed by the General Assembly last legislative session. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 357, otherwise known as the Florida Pharmacy Act, on June 20th. PBMs represent health insurers, government purchasers, and other … Read more
Financial access to health care and social security are among top concerns for Floridians aged 50+, according to a new member survey from AARP Florida. Over 1,000 Floridians responded to the survey, which took place between May 20 and August 18, 2021. The survey asked about respondents’ recent life experiences during the pandemic and their … Read more
On Thursday, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) announced that it will move forward with the adoption of proposed rule 59A-4.1081 which formally establishes the requirements of the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Training Program as directed in HB 485, passed during the 2021 Legislative Session. This announcement comes after Governor Ron DeSantis approved three … Read more
Unfinished budget negotiations in the legislature are pushing session past its scheduled adjournment on Friday, due to a mandatory 72-hour “cooling off” period before policy makers can vote on the proposed appropriations bills. Last week, the Florida Policy Institute (FPI) published a 56-page analysis on the House and Senate proposed FY 2022-23 budgets, as well … Read more
Despite House Democrats filing over a dozen amendments to House Bill 5, which would ban all abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, the bill passed the House last week along party lines and is expected to be heard in the Senate this week. Co-introduced by Reps. Erin Grall (R – Indian River) and Jenna Persons-Mulicka … Read more