Feds Reject Florida Medicaid Copay Plan
February 12, 2012
Taking aim at a controversial piece of Florida’s Medicaid overhaul, federal health officials this week rejected hitting beneficiaries with $10 monthly premiums and charges for some emergency-room visits.
The federal Medicaid agency, in a letter dated Thursday, notified the state that the proposals violated federal requirements that are designed, at least in part, to shield poor people from additional costs.
Democratic lawmakers and advocates for Medicaid beneficiaries, such as the group Florida CHAIN, blasted the proposals last year when the Republican-controlled Legislature included them in a massive plan to revamp Medicaid.
Florida CHAIN released a statement Saturday describing the proposals as “too extreme and too dangerous to be given serious consideration.”
“Congress already allows states to require Medicaid recipients to contribute to their care, but there are limits on what states can charge the poorest because they can afford so little,” the advocacy group said. “Legislative leaders knew that but were unconcerned, repeatedly insisting that they had provided ‘a hundred different reasons’ for the federal government to approve their request.”
While controversial, the proposed charges were a relatively small part of Florida’s move to overhaul Medicaid. The key part of the overhaul would eventually shift almost all beneficiaries into managed-care plans — an idea that remains under federal review.
Republican leaders argue the overhaul is needed to control costs and to improve fragmented care in the Medicaid system. Critics, however, have long contended that the changes could hurt beneficiaries.
One of the proposals rejected this week by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would have required most beneficiaries enrolled in managed-care plans to pay $10 monthly premiums.
In the submitting the proposal to federal officials in August, the state Agency for Health Care Administration said it was part of a legislative effort to ensure that beneficiaries are “active participants in the program.”
“The Florida Legislature intended that eligibility for Medicaid include certain personal responsibilities on the part of recipients,” AHCA said in the proposal. “The new law includes provisions on participation in activities to promote healthy behaviors and modest financial participation in the program.”
The other rejected proposal would have imposed $100 co-payments on beneficiaries if they go to emergency rooms for non-emergency care. Lawmakers hoped the change would reduce costly emergency-room visits for care that could be provided in places such as doctors’ office or clinics.
In Thursday’s letter, the federal Medicaid agency said the proposed $100 charges were higher than allowed in federal law. But it also indicated concerns about Medicaid beneficiaries unnecessarily using emergency rooms.
“CMS shares the state’s goal of promoting cost-effective use of hospital emergency department services, and we will be happy to work with you to consider alternative approaches to meeting this goal,” the letter said.
By The News Service of Florida
Gulf Power Looks To Lower Bills Just A Bit
February 11, 2012
Pointing to lower natural-gas costs, Gulf Power Company wants to trim customers’ monthly electric bills.
The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday will consider a Gulf Power proposal to pass along fuel savings to customers starting March 1. A residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month — a common measuring stick — would see a $3.33, or 2.6 percent, reduction, according to a PSC staff recommendation.
Power-plant fuel costs are a major component of electric bills and are passed through to customers. The PSC approved projected 2012 fuel costs in November, but the Pensacola-based Gulf Power sought a revision last month because of lower-than-expected gas prices.
I-10 Wreck Claims Life Of Escambia County Woman
February 11, 2012
One person was killed in a wreck Friday night on I-10 near the Pine Forest Road exit – one of three wrecks over a three mile stretch of interstate.
In the first accident about 7:15 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said 59-year old Thomas Herbert Crowley, Jr. was traveling east on I-10 between Pine Forest Road and Highway 29 in a semi-truck when he moved into the lane occupied by a Honda Civic driven by Nicole Anne Frey, 24.
Frey’s Honda Civic then cross the median and hit a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by Shannon Lacey Morgan, 23. Morgan and passenger Bobby Joe Mason, 21, both of Calhoun City, MS, were seriously injured and transported to West Florida Hospital.
Frey was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she passed away at 9:06 p.m.
Charges against Crowley are pending the FHP’s investigation.
The second accident involved an overturned pickup in the I-10 median near the Highway 29 exit, while the third involved a car into a wooded area also near the Highway 29 exit. Details on those crashes, including the names of those involved, have not yet been released. The accidents remain under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 11, 2012
At least one person was injured in a traffic crash Friday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 7:35 at Highway 29 at Woodland Street, near the Cantonment Fire Department. A female was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The crash tied up traffic on Highway 29 for about 45 minutes.
Further details on the crash have not yet been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above and below: One person was injured in this accident Friday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Man Robs Friend On The Way To Ensley Walmart
February 11, 2012
A friendship likely ended late Friday night as an Escambia County man robbed his friend while the pair were on their way to the Ensley Walmart.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Clyde William McArthur and his friend, Robbin Decker, were on their way to Walmart when McArthur pushed Decker off his bicycle and began hitting him several times.
McArthur then fled on foot. Decker told deputies that his wallet, and undisclosed amount of money and the headlight from his bicylce were stolen by McArthur.
Deputies located McArthur in the immediate area, along with the victim’s wallet. He was also in possession of the exact amount and denominations of money that the victim reported stolen. The victim positively identified McArthur as the suspect who robbed him.
McArthur was charged with robbery and petit theft. McArthur, who listed his address as being a transient, remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $5,500.
Escambia Crime: Walmart Robbery, Teen Surrenders After Burglary, Two Gas Stations Robbed
February 11, 2012
Here is a look at crime across Escambia County on Friday, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office:
Walmart Robbery
Deputies arrested David Calland, 21, for robbery of an individual about 1 p.m. Friday at Walmart on Blue Angel Parkway. The suspects fled the scene as deputies arrived. Sheriff’s deputies gave chase, with the suspects abandoning their vehicle at Leyte Drive and Navy Boulevard and fled on foot. Calland was arrested while a female in the vehicle was questioned.
The victim of the robbery said she was exiting the Wal-Mart with her wallet in hand when Calland jumped on her back and took her wallet. A bystander gave chase and tackled Calland in the parking lot causing him to drop the wallet.
Teen Turns Himself In After Burglary
A Pensacola teenager was arrested on burglary charges after he called the Escambia Sheriff’s Office and turned himself in after being chased by the victim of the burglary.
Jalen Lawrence Foster, 16, was charged with burglarizing a vehicle. The victim told deputies that he heard load noises about 3:00 a.m. Friday in his driveway. As Corbitt walked outside, he observed two black males inside his vehicle and two black males inside his wife’s vehicle. Corbitt yelled at the suspects, at which time all four suspects ran and got into a white Mazda Tribute and fled.
Corbitt followed the suspects in his vehicle to the area of the Montclair Subdivision. The driver then stopped the vehicle and all four suspects fled on foot in different directions.
Moments later, Foster, called the Sheriff’s Office wanting to turn himself in. Upon talking with deputies, Foster gave them information that led to his arrest.
Deputies also discovered the vehicle the suspects had fled in was stolen from the 9400 block of Wanda Drive earlier in the night. Foster was subsequently charged
with grand theft auto in that case.
Gunman Robs Circle K
Just before 1 a.m. Friday, a black male wearing a bright orange ski mask, entered the Circle K at 2350 West Michigan Avenue and robbed the clerk at gunpoint.
According to the clerk, the suspect entered the store wearing an orange ski mask, black long sleeve shirt, dark blue board shorts, black and white gloves and black
tennis shoes. The suspect, armed with a silver revolver, pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk gave the gunman an undetermined amount of
money from the register. The gunman then fled the store on foot heading east from the store.
Gunman Robs Murphy Gas Station
An unknown black male robbed the Murphy Gas Station at 690 North Navy Boulevard in the early morning hours Friday. Deputies say the suspect entered the store at about 2 a.m. and asked the clerk for directions to a 24-hour “spice” store. The suspect left after the clerk gave him directions.
“The suspect returned moments later and told the clerk he was with some big guys that were in the car outside and he was with a gang. The suspect then demanded money from the clerk,” according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesperson for the Sheriffs’ Office.
The suspect fled the store with an undetermined amount of money from the register in a red, two-toned car. A description of the suspect was not available.
Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 11, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Jessica Barrows was named queen, and Gavin Grant was named king. From the seventh grade, McKensie Colvin was named maiden, and Dustin Bethea was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Raegen Harrell and sixth grade knight was Micheal “MJ” Jones.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Dance sixth grade Maiden Raegen Harrell and Knight Micheal “MJ” Jones, King Gavin Grant, Queen Jessica Barrows, and eighth grade Knight Dustin Bethea and Maiden McKensie Colvin. Pictured below: King Gavin Grant and Queen Jessica Barrows NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Tackle Existing Weeds And Build A Lawn Defense
February 11, 2012
Just look around and you will probably notice a lot of green lawns. But, its early February, shouldn’t the lawns be brown?
Winter weeds are creating a field of green in many local lawns. Vetch, chickweed, annual bluegrass, henbit and clovers are growing rampantly in many lawns. Unless you do something about these weeds now, your weed problem will only get worse. February is the time to take the offensive against lawn weeds.
Grow a Healthy Lawn
The first and best method of weed control begins with proper management practices that encourage a dense, thriving turf. Healthy turf shades the soil so sunlight can’t reach weed seeds that are ready to germinate. A thick turf also minimizes the physical space available for weeds to become established. Proper mowing, fertilizing and watering will promote a healthy, dense grass.
Control Existing Weeds
Control existing winter weeds by either hand-pulling or treating with post-emergence herbicides. Be sure to choose herbicides that will control the weeds you have and will be safe to use on the type of lawn grass you grow. It’s best to spot treat the weeds, if possible. Since most people have temporarily stored their lawn mowers, the winter weeds have ample leaf area to absorb the herbicide for effective control.
For help choosing the right product, contact your local Extension Office. They may ask for samples of the weeds to ensure that you have identified them properly.
Prevent Future Weeds
Now is also the time to apply pre-emergence herbicides to prevent annual summer weeds, such as crabgrass, spurges, etc., from infesting the lawn through the spring and summer.
Pre-emergence herbicides must be applied prior to weed seed germination. Applications should be between February 15 and March 5 or when day temperatures reach 65° to 70°F for four to five consecutive days. This generally coincides with the blooming of azaleas and dogwoods.
Pre-emergence herbicides work by creating a chemical barrier in the soil/thatch layer. Therefore, uniform coverage is necessary for optimum control. Large gaps in the herbicide-treated zone can result in weeds popping up.
Pre-emergence herbicides are generally effective in controlling weeds from six to twelve weeks following application. Most will begin to degrade when exposed to the environment. Therefore, to obtain season-long control, an additional application should follow six to nine weeks after the initial one.
Some pre-emergence herbicides to look for include dithiopyr (Sta-Green Crab-Ex or Vigoro Crabgrass & Weed Preventer) or pendimethalin (Lesco PRE-M or Scotts Halts).
With any pesticide, you should always READ THE LABEL carefully and completely before applying. The herbicide label will provide a list of where it can safely be applied and the weed species the active ingredient will control and at what rate.
What about Fertilizer?
It is still too early to apply a nitrogen-containing fertilizer on our mostly dormant lawns in Northwest Florida. Adding nitrogen now fertilizes your existing weeds. It may also stimulate the grass which makes it more susceptible to winter kill when/if we get our next cold snap. In general, it’s best to apply your herbicides separately from fertilizers.
Wait until April to fertilize your lawn or until you’ve mowed twice because of grass growth. In the meantime, get a soil test done so that you will have a better idea of the type of fertilizer to use.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Three Arrested After Narcotics Unit Executes Search Warrant
February 10, 2012
Three Century residents — a mother and her two sons — were arrested Thursday night after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit served a drug-related search warrant in Century.
The search warrant was executed about 7:30 p.m. at a mobile home in the 100 block of West Highway 4 near the Century Care Center nursing home. Investigators reported finding powdered cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana inside the mobile home.
Karen Louise Quinley, 43, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and destruction of evidence. She was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,000. Cortez Rasheen Davison, 18, was charged with cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $10,500. Nakeetric Devonte Davison, 19, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $15,500. All three remained behind bars early Friday morning.
Thursday night was not the first time the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has targeted alleged drug activity at the trailer. No one was home as officers executed a search warrant at the same mobile home in June 2010, finding a stem of marijuana in a bedroom, crack cocaine on the kitchen table, a razor blade with cocaine residue, a marijuana cigarette and digital scales during their search, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Quinley was arrested on multiple charges following the 2010 search, but charges against her were later dropped due to insufficient evidence since she was not at home at the time of the raid.
Pictured above: Thursday night, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a drug-related search warrant at a mobile home in the 100 block of West Highway 4 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Sign No Longer Calling Gov. Scott ‘Bad’ Name
February 10, 2012
The “Welcome to Florida” sign on Highway 29 has been cleaned up — no longer declaring Florida’s governor to be a “prick”.
In mid-December, a little spray paint from a vandal transformed the official greeting to “Governor PRick Scott”. Despite numerous calls reporting the graffiti to the Florida Department of Transportation, the graffiti remained for over a month and a half.
But shortly after NorthEscambia.com published photos of the sign, the graffiti was removed, and the faded and tattered American and Florida flags nearby were also replaced with new flags.
Pictured top: New flags and a “corrected” Governor Rick Scott Welcome to Florida greeting at the Alabama state line in Century. Pictured inset and below: The sign had referred to Gov. Rick Scott as a “PRick Scott” for over a month and a half prior to these photos being published. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
