Big Medicaid, Obamacare Issues Face Florida In 2013
December 30, 2012
Dealing with issues that affect the health care of millions of poor and uninsured residents, Florida leaders in 2013 could move forward with a long-awaited overhaul of the Medicaid system and likely will decide how to carry out the federal Affordable Care Act.
Both issues are highly complex and politically controversial.
Gov. Rick Scott and Republican legislative leaders want to require almost all Medicaid beneficiaries statewide to enroll in managed-care plans, an effort that has drawn opposition from Democratic lawmakers and some patient advocates. Meanwhile, after waging a legal and political battle, Scott and his GOP colleagues face the reality that the Affordable Care Act — better known as Obamacare — is here to stay.
Lawmakers in 2011 approved the Medicaid overhaul, but it requires approval from the federal government. State Medicaid director Justin Senior told lawmakers this month that he expects a decision from federal officials in February about the first part of the overhaul.
That part would lead to managed-care enrollment for seniors who need long-term care. If approved by federal officials, those changes would start taking effect by Oct. 1. Broadly, the idea is that HMOs and other types of managed-care plans could provide services that would allow seniors to stay in their homes and communities instead of having to live in costly nursing facilities.
The state Agency for Health Care Administration has been seeking approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for more than a year and also has started the contracting process for managed-care plans that want to take part in the long-term care system. The state would be split into 11 regions, with a limited number of plans receiving contracts in each region.
Senior said much of the state’s negotiations with federal officials have focused on safeguards to make sure that the program would be based on providing services in people’s homes and communities and would not be a “nursing home light” system.
The state also is seeking approval to require the broader Medicaid population, such as low-income women and children, to enroll in managed-care plans. Those changes would start to take effect by October 2014, though Senior said the state has focused first on getting approval for the long-term care portion of the overhaul.
“As we get that approval, I think our guns will turn, if you will, onto the (proposal dealing with the broader Medicaid population), and we will really start to negotiate with the federal government to get to the best possible product there as well and do it in a timely fashion,” Senior told the House Health & Human Services Committee.
Supporters of the overhaul contend that it will help hold down costs in the Medicaid program and better coordinate care for beneficiaries. Medicaid serves more than 3.2 million people in Florida, and is expected to spend about $20.8 billion this fiscal year.
But critics of the overhaul have long raised concerns that for-profit HMOs will scrimp on care for the beneficiaries. Rep. Elaine Schwartz, D-Hollywood, pointedly asked Senior about whether the state will have enough oversight of the managed-care organizations.
“I don’t hear from you that there is a beefing up in these programs to oversee these managed-care companies who could easily be diverting that money to the wrong purposes,” Schwartz said.
Senior said AHCA is aware it will have to be a “watchdog” over managed-care organizations, looking at such things as the health plans’ finances and medical data. But while Schwartz is concerned about the overhaul, other state officials want to get federal approval of what are known as “waivers” and move forward quickly with the changes.
“I’m very concerned about the length of time it’s taken us to get the waiver,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican who has long been involved in health issues.
As AHCA works to get approval, lawmakers this spring also will debate whether the state should play an active role in carrying out the Affordable Care Act.
Scott and Republican legislative leaders largely refused over the past two years to move forward with the law, which President Obama and congressional Democrats approved in 2010. But after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June and Obama’s re-election in November, it became clear that the Affordable Care Act will not be tossed out or repealed.
The House and Senate have formed select committees that will study issues such as whether the state should create what is known as a health-insurance exchange, which is a key part of the law’s attempt to expand coverage to millions of more Americans. Also, the committees will study issues such as a potential expansion of Medicaid eligibility in Florida.
Scott, whose opposition to the Affordable Care Act helped propel his political career, is scheduled to meet Jan. 7 with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
He and other Republican leaders say they need more information about issues such as the insurance exchanges, which are designed to be online marketplaces where people can shop for coverage. Depending on income levels, many people will be able to receive subsidies to buy the coverage.
Florida has already missed a deadline for states that plan to operate exchanges starting in January 2014. That means, at least initially, the federal government will run an exchange in the state.
But lawmakers during the spring session will look at the possibility of operating an exchange in the future or entering into a partnership with the federal government.
The House and Senate also will discuss a series of other issues stemming from the Affordable Care Act, including whether to expand Medicaid eligibility to offer coverage to more people. The federal government would pay for the eligibility expansion from 2014 to 2016, with the state gradually picking up some of the costs after that.
In grappling with the Affordable Care Act, Scott and Republican lawmakers likely will face pressure from conservatives to avoid taking part in an exchange and the Medicaid expansion. That political pressure was evident early this month when a meeting of the Senate select committee turned raucous after a group of activists pleaded with lawmakers to not carry out the law.
But Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat who is vice chairwoman of the select committee, said the state has to abide by the law and pointed out that Florida has one of the largest uninsured populations in the country.
“I think that needs to be reckoned with, and we need to adjust our attitudes so we make sure that everybody has health insurance and a health care policy that’s affordable and accessible,” Sobel said.
By The News Service of Florida
2012 In Photos: May
December 30, 2012
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2012. Today, we are featuring photos from May.
The annual Relay for Life was held at Tate High School.
Jim Allen Elementary held a Sock Hope to raise money for Relay for Life.
Life in the Slow Lane: A wagon train passed through North Escambia.
The Northview Spring Musical “The Dastardly Dr. Devereaux”, was presented in early May.
Funeral services were held in May for Robert Stewart, the former chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
The Jay Lady Royals finished second in the Class 1A State Championship game in Clermont, Florida.
The “Big Banana Car” was spotted headed south through North Escambia in May, turning lots of heads.
Record crowds attended Century’s Sawmill Day and Car Show.
The 38th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo was held in Walnut Hill.
Crowds attended Mayfest in Atmore.
Services honored those that have served on Memorial Day in May.
Dry weather led to several brush fires, including this five acre fire near Walnut Hill.
The Northview High School Class of 2012 held their Baccalaureate service at the First baptist Church of Bratt.
A black bear was spotted around a Cantonment apartment complex for weeks before being euthanized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
There were no injuries when a freight train derailed in Molino.
A waterspout formed over Pensacola Bay.
The Northview Chiefs took on West Florida in a spring football game.
Sgt. Charles Gilliard of Century Correctional Institution was named the Florida Department of Correction’s statewide Institutions Employee of the Year.
A Pensacola man was killed in a multiple vehicle wreck involving a horse on Highway 29 in Molino.
“A Dancing Circus” was presented at Flomaton High School by Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
Gulf Power Crews Continue To Restore Power In Snowy Arkansas
December 30, 2012
Gulf Power crews are continuing to work in near Hot Springs, Arkansas, with restoration efforts following a Christmas Day snowstorm. After a high of 194,000 outages, about 78,000 Entergy Arkansas customers remained without power Saturday.
A total of 28 line crew personnel and 15 support employees from Gulf Power are taking part in the restoration efforts.
This is the fifth storm restoration trip that Gulf Power crews have made in the last six months. A restoration crew spent 17 days restoring power in Philadelphia and New Jersey during November after Hurricane Sandy struck.
Pictured: A Gulf Power crew works to restore power near Hot Springs, Arkansas, on Saturday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Birth: Zander James Rector
December 30, 2012
Dustin and Lindsay Rector, of Lawrence, MI, announce the birth of their son, Zander James Rector.
He was born December 18, 2012, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo MI. He weighed 8-pounds 10-ounces, and was 21 3/4 inches long.
He is welcomed home by big sister Sophia Rector and big brother Aidan Rector. The grandparents are Dale and Kellie Rector of Centerville, LA, Karen Stevens of Mattawan MI, and Leslie and Susan Barnes of McDavid. The great-grandparents are Ivan and Bernice Gwilt of Dowagiac MI, and Louise Dockens of McDavid. Godparents are Chad and Ashley Burris of Molino.
North Escambia Trash Pickup Is Monday
December 29, 2012
ECUA residential sanitation collections scheduled for Tuesday will be made one day early, on Monday, December 31. The change includes garbage, recycling and yard trash collection across most of the North Escambia area.
Dumpster service collections for commercial customers will be made on Wednesday, January 2 instead of Tuesday, January 1.
For more information, click here.
Fire Destroys Semi Truck
December 29, 2012
Fire destroyed a semi-truck early Saturday morning at International Paper in Cantonment.
The fire was reported about 1 a.m. near a back gate of IP off Highway 297A. The semi-truck was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived; the cab of the vehicle was a total loss. The truck was hauling wood chips.
The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue battled the blaze.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this semi-truck at International Paper in Cantonment early Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Charged In Escambia County Carjacking
December 29, 2012
A Century woman has been charged with a Thursday night carjacking in Pensacola.
Kiauna Shanne Grice, age 22 of Alger Road, was charged with felony carjacking and battery.
Grice allegedly carjacked a black Chevrolet Suburban from the America’s Best Value hotel on Plantation Road. Deputies spotted the vehicle a short time after the carjacking report and conducted a traffic stop. They reported finding Grice in the vehicle.
The victim told deputies he was to pick Grice up at the hotel. When he pulled up, the victim said he was attacked by two females with their closed fists, telling him to get out of the vehicle. He refused treatment by Escambia County EMS.
Bond was set at $110,000 for Grice on the carjacking and battery charges. She remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond on an unrelated probation violation warrant.
Brakes Put On Santa Rosa Transit System
December 29, 2012
Friday was the last day of service for Santa Rosa Transit.
Santa Rosa Transit was a pilot public transportation program mainly along U.S. Hwy. 90, from the Santa Rosa Industrial Park to a connection to the Escambia County Area Transit system at Nine Mile Road and University Parkway. In October, a majority of the commission voted to no longer fund the county’s portion of the program due to insufficient ridership.
The public transportation service began on December 7, 2010, with approximately 14,000 one-way tickets purchased over two years. Ridership increased from 167 in December 2010 to a peak of 841 passengers in October 2012. Operating costs for the program for December 2010 to November 2012 were $269,309. The county was responsible for funding 18 percent with federal grants funding 77 percent and ticket sales accounting for only five percent of operating costs.
Santa Rosa Transit service was provided through the cooperation of the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners, Pensacola Bay Transportation LLC, the Florida – Alabama Transportation Planning Organization, and the Federal Transit Administration. Santa Rosa County was the project manager, the Florida – Alabama Transportation Planning Organization procured the buses and was the federal grant recipient, and Pensacola Bay Transportation LLC was the operator.
Time Running Out To Make Donations For 2012 Tax Deductions
December 29, 2012
The next few days are a great time to clear out the old and make room for the new as 2012 winds down — and a great opportunity to take advantage of the chance to save on your taxes. Or, simply just write a check to your favorite church or non-profit.
Area non-profit thrift stores are ready and waiting to accept donations of furniture, clothing, household items and more. With a receipt, the donations can be written off your 2012 tax return in most cases. There are plenty of choices in the North Escambia area, including the Waterfront Rescue Bargain Center in Cantonment, the Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store, the We Care Economy Shops in Atmore and Flomaton, and the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Century.
Tax experts say you also have until Monday to write a check to your local church or your favorite charity in order to potentially receive a deduction for 2012. Most churches or charities will willingly provide a receipt or a year-end summary of your contributions.
Pictured: The Waterfront Rescue Mission Bargain Center in Cantonment, the sixth store opened by the organization. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Minimum Wage Workers Getting A Raise
December 29, 2012
On January 1, Florida’s minimum wage will increase 12 cents to $7.79 an hour for the estimated 210,000 minimum wage workers across the state.
Under a 2004 constitutional amendment, Florida’s minimum wage is recalculated every year and is tied to the inflation rate. Florida is among 10 states that will increase the threshold next week. The number of minimum wage jobs is a small percentage of the 7.5 million people employed in the Florida workforce.
The increase is expected to increase annual incomes of minimum wage workers by about $370 a year, according to data from the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington D.C.-based think tank that focuses on low-income wage issues.
Ninety percent of the low-wage workers are over age 20; 85 percent work 20 hours per week or more; 46 percent have at least some college education, the institute indicated.