Lawmaker Looks For Health Expansion Coverage Compromise
April 18, 2013
With the House and Senate taking vastly different approaches to expanding health care for low-income Floridians, a key lawmaker Wednesday floated a possible compromise that comes down to this: Let the people choose.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said the possible compromise involves moving forward with a Senate plan that would offer private health-insurance coverage to adults through the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. At the same time, the compromise would move forward with a plan spearheaded by Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, that would offer subsidies to low-income people who want more flexibility in choosing health coverage.
“They would be given the choice,” said Negron, who is the architect of the Senate bill (SB 1816). “So they could pick Rep. Corcoran’s plan or they could pick the Healthy Kids plan.”
But Negron’s compromise likely would not resolve the biggest obstacle to the House and Senate agreeing on an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. House Republican leaders have vehemently opposed accepting billions of dollars in federal funding to expand health care — federal money that would be needed in Negron’s compromise.
Negron outlined the possible compromise Wednesday as a Senate subcommittee approved his bill and another measure aimed at helping low-income people get health services. The other measure (SB 1844), sponsored by Fernandina Beach Republican Aaron Bean, is somewhat similar to the House plan and would not rely on federal funding.
Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee praised Negron’s bill as a pragmatic way to offer health coverage to hundreds of thousands of Floridians without expanding Medicaid. Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said he understands the House Republicans’ objections to taking federal money, but he said the issue is about, “can we be compassionate for our fellow citizens?”
“This is a game changer for the state of Florida,” said Thrasher, a former House speaker. “But this is about, can we be – and find a way to be – pragmatic, to solve a problem and to be compassionate for our fellow citizens?”
The subcommittee voted unanimously for Negron’s bill, which would use the longstanding infrastructure of the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. to offer private insurance coverage to people whose incomes are up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, 138 percent of the poverty level would be an income of $26,951.
During the upcoming 2013-14 fiscal year, Negron’s bill contemplates using nearly $1.26 billion in federal money to provide coverage under the plan, dubbed “Healthy Florida.” The plan also has received support from interest groups ranging from the Florida Hospital Association and Associated Industries of Florida to the Service Employees International Union.
The subcommittee had a cooler reaction Wednesday to the Medicaid alternative proposed by Bean. That bill, which was approved in a 6-4 vote, would target people whose incomes are at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level and would provide up to $10 a month to help them pay for health services.
The Bean plan would be administered by the Florida Health Choices program, a long-planned online health marketplace. It would cost the state nearly $15.3 million during the upcoming fiscal year.
Bean’s plan drew skepticism Wednesday, at least in part, because it would provide only limited help to low-income people. But he urged the subcommittee to keep it alive as the Senate tries to reach agreement with the House on a plan to expand coverage.
“We need to keep options open, and maybe we’re forgetting but there’s another body across the way that also has a say in what we do,” Bean said. “They haven’t shown an interest in taking federal funds.”
Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, however, said he was concerned about sending a “mixed message” by approving both the Bean and Negron bills.
“It’s like trying to take two dates to the prom,” Montford said, drawing laughs. “Where I come from, you don’t do that — even though you might try.”
The Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, calls for expanding Medicaid to people with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level and could send more than $50 billion to Florida during the next decade for such an expansion. But House and Senate Republicans have rejected the idea of funneling more people into Medicaid.
While Negron’s bill would seek to tap into the federal money to offer private health coverage to low-income people, House Republican leaders have taken a hard line against relying on funds from Washington.
Last week, Corcoran and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, released a state-funded alternative that would provide $2,000 subsidies to people whose incomes are at or below 100 percent of the poverty level.
The money would be used to buy coverage, such as high-deductible insurance policies, through the Florida Health Choices program, the same online marketplace that Bean wants to use. A family of three with an income of $19,530 would be at 100 percent of the poverty level.
Negron gave only a broad overview of his compromise idea Wednesday, but he said it would involve allowing people to use money to buy coverage through his insurance program or through the House plan. He said it would use federal money, along with possibly state funds, and that it could increase the subsidies that would be available through the House plan.
The Senate appropriations chairman also said Florida already relies heavily on federal money to bolster its budget, particularly in health programs.
“There are some good uses of federal funds, and there are some uses that are not so good,” Negron said.
By The News Service of Florida
Suns Blow Past Wahoos
April 18, 2013
The Jacksonville Suns scored runs in five of their first six at-bats and cruised to a 10-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of 4,159 fans on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Despite the lopsided score, the night was a win for everyone at the ballpark, including Tristan Laurent who participated in the Sacred Heart Home Run for Life. Laurent, a member of the West Florida High School baseball team, was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. As part of the Home Run for Life, every player from both teams greeted Laurent during his lap on the field and he also received a bat signed by the entire Blue Wahoos team.
In the game, the Suns got a leadoff homer from Danny Black in the first and that was just a sign of things to come. Kyle Jensen blasted a two-run home run in the third to open up a three-run lead. It was part of a big night from Jensen, who finished a triple shy of the cycle and went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI.
In the fourth inning, Jacksonville continued to hit around Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe, connecting on five consecutive two-out hits to score three runs. Derek Dietrich tripled home two prior to a Jensen RBI single. Mark Canha smacked a solo shot in the fifth for Jacksonville’s third homer of the contest, giving the Suns a 7-3 lead.
Crabbe (1-1) gave up seven runs on 14 hits in his 4.2 frames while allowing the three solo dingers. Prior to tonight’s start, Crabbe was third in the league in opponents batting average and had given up just four knocks in his prior two outings.
The Suns offense battered newcomer Shaun Ellis in his 1.1 innings, posting three more tallies in the sixth with RBI’s coming from Jensen, Cox, and Canha. Jacksonville ended up with 18 hits, which tied a Blue Wahoos record for most hits allowed in a single contest. J.T. Realmuto had four of the 18 hits while scoring three times.
Pensacola got all three of its runs in the bottom of the third against Jacksonville starter Adam Conley. With the bases loaded and one out, Donald Lutz drew a walk to make the score 3-1. Steve Selsky followed with a two-run single up the middle to briefly tie the game at three.
Conley only went four innings and thus did not qualify for the win. Edgar Olmos (2-0) picked up the win in relief by tossing two one-hit innings. The Jacksonville bullpen extended its scoreless innings streak to 22 innings dating back to last Saturday.
The Wahoos and Suns continue their five-game set on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Chad Rogers (1-0, 2.45) will get the start for the Blue Wahoos against Michael Ojala (1-0, 6.00).
Story by Kevin Burke
Local Teachers, Union File Federal Lawsuit Against Performance Pay Law
April 17, 2013
Seven teachers –four from Escambia County — and their local unions filed suit Tuesday to block the state’s landmark performance pay law, continuing a three-year-long battle over how educators should be compensated.
The federal lawsuit, which is also backed by the National Education Association and the Florida Education Association, says that some teachers’ rights are being violated because they are being assessed based on students that sometimes aren’t even in their classroom — a byproduct, critics say, of the law’s requirement that test scores account for a part of educators’ pay even if there are no state exams in that grade or subject area.
The four Escambia County teachers teach at Ransom Middle School, Tate High School, Pensacola High School and West Florida High School. The Escambia Education Association is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.2
“These participating teachers have (had evaluations) based on the test scores of students they do not teach or in subjects they do not teach,” said Andy Ford, president of the FEA.
The union has been fighting the performance-pay law since the first version was introduced in 2010. In addition to tying teacher’s compensation more closely to student achievement, the measure did away with employment protections commonly referred to as tenure.
The union convinced then-Gov. Charlie Crist to veto the bill after the 2010 legislative session.
Since Republicans pushed it through the Legislature again the following year and Gov. Rick Scott signed it, the FEA has also tried to overturn the law in state court by arguing that it violates teachers’ collective-bargaining rights.
Those involved in the lawsuit said they were as interested in getting lawmakers to rethink the law as they are in persuading the courts to strike it down.
“We’re hopeful that this lawsuit will be a catalyst for legislative action,” said Ron Meyer, a lawyer for the FEA.
Both the House and the Senate have worked on legislation this year that would require educators be judged only on the achievement of students they teach, though some critics said they’re skeptical that the new legislation goes far enough. The House Bill (HB 7141) is ready for the floor, while the Senate version (SB 980) has two committee stops left.
In a statement responding to the lawsuit, Education Commissioner Tony Bennett referenced those bills.
“There is currently another piece of legislation (HB 7141/SB 980) under consideration in the Legislature that would make improvements to the Student Success Act, including ensuring that teachers are evaluated only on the students and subjects they teach,” Bennett said. “The legislation would also provide that teachers could not be eligible for a performance pay system until an appropriate assessment for their students and subjects is in place.”
Escambia Set To Lower Speed Limit On Nearly Two Dozen Roads
April 17, 2013
The Escambia County Commission is set to reduce the speed limit on nearly two dozen roads in the Cant0nment area.
The speed limit will drop from 30 to 25 miles per hour on the following:
1. Sundance Lane, from County Road 97 to west end of roadway;
2. Sundial Circle, from Sundance Lane to Sundance Lane;
3. Booker Street, from Muscogee Road to end of roadway;
4. Quarters Road, from Booker Street to end of roadway;
5. Booker Lane, from Booker Street to end of roadway;
6. Booker Avenue, from Booker Street to end of roadway;
7. Robinson Street, from Booker Street to Washington Street;
8. Sheppard Street, from Booker Street to Washington Street;
9. Calloway Street, from Washington Street to end of roadway;
10. Ellington Street, from Booker Street to Washington Street;
11. Webb Street, from Booker Street to Muscogee Road;
12. Griggs Street, from Booker Street to Washington Street;
13. Ransom Street, from Booker Street to Washington Street;
14. Washington Street, from Robinson Street to Ransom Street;
15. Carver Street, from Webb Street to end of roadway;
16. Copper Ridge Drive, from Pine Forest Road to end of roadway;
17. Windmill Circle, from Copper Ridge Drive to Copper Ridge Drive;
18. Rock Hill Court, from Windmill Circle to end of roadway;
19. Winterset Drive, from Windmill Circle to end of roadway;
20. Copper Ridge Circle, from Copper Ridge Drive to Copper Ridge Drive;
21. Copper Ridge Court, from Copper Ridge Drive to end of roadway; and
22. Copper Ridge Place, from Copper Ridge Drive to end of roadway.
The county commission will vote on a resolution Thursday night to approve the speed limit reductions. The lower speed limits were requested by local residents, and the requests were evaluated by the county’s Transportation & Traffic Operations Division.
After the appropriate speed limit signs are installed, the resolution authorizing the changes will be forwarded to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Florida Senate Passes Texting While Driving Ban
April 17, 2013
Texting while driving in most cases would be illegal in Florida under a bill passed Tuesday by the Senate and sent to the House. The measure has some exceptions that would allow drivers to text or email while stopped, such as at a red light.
The bill would make the infraction a secondary offense, meaning police officers would have to stop drivers for something else before ticketing them for sending or reading texts or emails while operating their car.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously, a remarkable amount of support for a measure that while proposed in recent years had never gotten through a Senate committee.
Its sponsor, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, said the bill has overwhelming support among the public, and noted that Florida is one of only five U.S. states that doesn’t have some sort of ban on texting while driving.
“We lose about 11 teenagers a day (nationally) thanks to texting while driving,” said Detert.
“This bill is long overdue, we’ve lost too many young people, and too many people in general on the streets of Florida,” added Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale.
A penalty for a first violation of the prohibition would be a $30 fine, plus court costs that vary around the state. A second violation within 5 years of the first would result in 3 points o the driver’s record plus a $60 fine plus court fees.
The bill is backed by AAA.
“In the last three years alone, more than half of all states have enacted text messaging bans for all drivers,” said Kevin Bakewell, vice president of the auto club. “AAA is encouraged by the recent and rapid progress toward our national campaign goal of passing texting bans in all 50 states.”
A similar bill has also moved through the House this year, in contrast to previous years when it was bottled up in committee. The House bill is on the floor calendar for that chamber.
By The News Service of Florida
Area Mourns Sudden Death Of Retired Assistant Fire Chief (With Arrangements)
April 17, 2013
Atmore and surrounding communities are mourning the loss of a longtime fireman who passed away suddenly Tuesday afternoon.
Atmore Fire Department retired Assistant Chief Mike Staples began his three decade career as a fireman and worked his way up through the ranks to assistant chief. He retired in August 2012.
He is survived by his wife and his children.
A wake will be held Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Mayberry Funeral Home in Atmore. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace Fellowship in Atmore, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Pictured: As assistant fire chief, Atmore fireman Mike Staples supervises a live burn exercise. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Moye, McCall Named Northview Prom King And Queen
April 17, 2013
Seniors Blake McCall and Maranda Moye were named the 2013 Junior-Senior Prom King and Queen last Saturday night for Northview High School. Courtesy photo by NHS Tribal Spirit for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Area Remembers, Prays For Boston
April 17, 2013
Residents across the area remembered Boston Tuesday and the tragic bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday. Pictured top: The 17th Avenue train trestle in Pensacola, commonly known as “Graffiti Bridge”, was painted with the message to “Pray for Boston”. And flags across the area were lowered to half staff upon an order from Gov. Rick Scott, including the Byrneville Community Center (pictured below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Falls In District Tourney; Jay Advances To Finals
April 17, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs fell in the District 1 Class 1A softball tournament Tuesday, while the Jay Lady Royals advanced to the finals Thursday night.
Northview lost 7-1 to Chipley, a team the No. 1 seed Lady Chiefs had defeated twice during the regular season.
The Jay Lady Royals beat the Lady Gators of Baker 6-1. Syndney Lowery allowed jut three hits in seven innings on the mound. Taylor Moore went 4-4, Ashlynn Geck went 3-3, Olivia Wright was 2-3, and Camille Driver was 1-4 for Jay.
The Lady Royals will play the Baker Gators at 6 p.m. Thursday for the District 1 Class 1A championship.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter
April 17, 2013
An Escambia County man is jailed for the DUI manslaughter death of a Milton man Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 23-year old James William Barclay was northbound on Hollywood Avenue when he failed to stop for a stop sign at Blount Avenue. His 1999 Jeep Cherokee struck a 1989 Honda Civic driven by 28-year old Charles Allen Snow of Milton. The impact forced Snow’s vehicle into a utility pole before overturning. After the initial impact, Barclay’s Jeep continued north and vaulted over Snow’s Civic.
Barclay climbed out of his Jeep and fled the scene on foot. Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Carr and his K-9 tracked Barclay and took him into custody nearby. He was transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Snow was pronounced deceased following the crash. A two-year old toddler in his vehicle was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
After being released from the hospital, Barclay was arrested on multiple charges including DUI manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and driving with no driver’s license resulting in a death. Barclay was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $903,000.