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Popular Health Care Bills

SB 0966 Health Care

HB 1159 Health Care Facilities

HB 0365 Pharmacy

HB 0817 Health Care

SB 1816 Health Care

SB 1792 Medical Negligence Actions

SB 0422 Cancer Treatment

HB 7169 Florida Health Choices Plus Program

SB 1844 Florida Health Choices Program

HB 0831 Controlled Substance Prescription

Health Care Bills On The Move

SB 1690 Volunteer Health Services

SENATE Read Second Time; Read Second Time; Substituted for HB 1093; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1093

HB 0671 Pharmacy Technicians

SENATE Died in Health Policy

HB 0463 Examination of Dentists

SENATE Died in Health Policy

HB 1105 Health Insurance Tax

HOUSE Died in Local & Federal Affairs Committee

HB 0141 Florida Clean Indoor Air Act

HOUSE Withdrawn prior to introduction

HB 1159 Health Care Facilities

HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed

HB 7129 Residential Services for Children

HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed

SB 1904 Dystonia Awareness Month

SENATE Read Second Time; Adopted

HB 0865 Certification of Assisted Living Facility Administrators

HOUSE Died in Health Innovation Subcommittee

HB 0409 Health Insurance

HOUSE Died in Health Innovation Subcommittee

Health Care

2013 Session Summary: Health Care

by LobbyTools - 1 week ago - +

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is more than 3 years old but formulating a response to it was the No. 1 health issue facing the Florida Legislature in 2013. Lawmakers began their spring session with select committees to address issues the mammoth health care law created and needed resolved by the end of the year. Read more ...

Democrats push Scott for special session on health care

by James Call - 1 week ago - +

Both the Florida Senate Democrats and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson cite multimillion dollar penalties Florida businesses face because of the Legislature's refusal to expand Medicaid. A provision of the ACA requiring everyone to have health insurance goes into effect January. Companies with at least 50 employees face fines if a worker qualifies for assistance when purchasing insurance.

Legislature adjourns 2013 session

by Bill Cotterell - 2 weeks ago - +

A festive crowd packs the rotunda of the Capitol Friday evening anticipating the moment when House Sergeant-at-Arms Earnie Sumner, back, and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Donald Severance drop handkerchiefs to signal the end of the 2013 legislative session

Sixty days of debate, argument, agreement and compromise end with the drop of two handkerchiefs in the Capitol rotunda to signal the completion of the 2013 legislative session.

Teachers, state workers get pay boost in $74.5 budget passed on final day of session

by Gray Rohrer - 2 weeks ago - +

Some House Democrats dropped their budget protest over Medicaid expansion, and Gov. Rick Scott got his top two priorities of a teacher pay raise and manufacturing tax cut.

Democrats wait for Scott to step up on health care

by James Call - 2 weeks ago - +

House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, holds a news conference about health care outside the House chamber Friday during a recess in the legislative action. He said a lot can be done before the deadline for implementation of the Pat

House Democrats say they are not going to drop the fight to extend health care coverage once the session ends. They are calling on the governor to veto sections of the budget, call a special session and commission a study to address issues raised by House Republicans.

ALF reform dies again

by James Call - 2 weeks ago - +

Reform of the assisted-living facilities industry died in the Legislature for the second year in a row. Advocates had pinned their hope on an amendment to an omnibus bill that never came up for a vote on the session's final day. Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a prime advocate for stricter regulations, says with the support of the Senate and leadership she will continue the fight next year.

Villages get retirement home, Gaetz a trauma center

by James Call - 2 weeks ago - +

The effort to make easier for new trauma centers to be licensed stalled when Senators loaded the bill down with more than 60 amendments. Sen. Jack Latvala crafted an amendment for a House bill that created an opportunity enabling a new trauma center to open in the panhandle and another in central Florida.

Trauma bill is on life support

by James Call - 2 weeks ago - +

A proposal to deregulate Level II trauma centers has become an omnibus health care bill carrying proposals dealing with pharmacies, assisted-living facilities, pain clinics and dental care. The practice is known as loving a bill to death. And the sponsor of the trauma bill thinks his idea has gotten too much love.

LobbyTools is seeking talent

by LobbyTools - 2 weeks ago - +

We're looking for smart, energetic, team-players who excel in the areas of policy analysis, research, writing, data journalism, sales, marketing and account management; who have a passion for politics and policy; who want to work with Florida's legislative information market leader. Full, part-time, contract, intern and residency opportunities available. Send resumes to careers@lobbytools.com.

Time running out for health care deal

by James Call - 2 weeks ago - +

Senate President Don Gaetz says time has run out to find a compromise between the House and Senate on a health care expansion plan. File photo by Bill Cotterell.

Lawmakers are scheduled to leave town Friday and there appears to be no agreement on how to reduce the number of uninsured Floridians. The Senate rejected a House proposal and the House refuses to take up the Senate bill. Wednesday, Senate President Don Gaetz said "the shot clock has run out on the health care issue."

DNC chief to Scott: "Get off the sidelines"

by Bill Cotterell - 2 weeks ago - +

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee, speaks Wednesday at the Capital Tiger Bay Club. She said Gov. Rick Scott should take an active role in pushing for health care expansion during the waning days of this ye

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says GOP lawmakers are acting like "spoiled children" who are bent on stopping Medicaid expansion even though the issue has been decided by Congress, court and voters.

Medical malpractice gets past House slowdown to Gov. Rick Scott's desk

by Gray Rohrer - 2 weeks ago - +

Rep. Dave Kerner, here with Rep. Debbie Mayfield, tried to scuttle a bill on medical malpractice by offering an amendment that would prevent insurers from using gun ownership as a factor in underwriting calculations. File photo by John Iarussi.

Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats to force a vote on a pro-gun amendment, trying to kill the bill.

Insurance bills bouncing between chambers, not passing as sine die draws near

by Gray Rohrer - 2 weeks ago - +

The House rebuffed a bill favored by Senate leaders requiring oral cancer drugs be treated the same as other drugs. The Senate responded by inserting the provision in a bill favored by the insurance industry, and placing a tax break repeal already resisted by the House once into the same bill.

Thrasher on Medicaid expansion: Take a deep breath

by James Call - 2 weeks ago - +

Sen. John Thrasher, right, listens as Sen. Andy Gardiner makes a point on the Senate floor. Thrasher expressed doubt Tuesday whether a health care compromise will be found. File photo by John iarussi.

The former Speaker and current Senator thinks it's best for lawmakers to take a timeout on expanding health care coverage and let staff work on the issue after session. However, House Democrats will continue a protest slowing down the House's work until the House agrees to take up a Senate bill expanding coverage to a million residents.