News & Updates

Medicaid

Legislature Develops Solution for Long Term Care Insolvencies

Legislature Develops Solution for Long Term Care Insolvencies

The House and Senate based a bill designed to more equitable handle insolvencies associated with long term care insurers. After passing both chambers without opposition, HB 673 goes to Governor Ron DeSantis for action. The bill largely follows the NAIC Model Act related funding long-term care insolvencies. In general, these insolvencies will be divided evenly […]

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Special Session Set for June 1

Special Session Set for June 1

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Sentate President Andy Gardiner formally called the legislature into a special session to begin June 1.  The special session might last until June 20, or such earlier time as the legislature may accomplish their constitutionally required objective of passing a budget. The special session became necessary when lawmakers could not […]

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House Adjourns and Ends Session Early

House Adjourns and Ends Session Early

In an unusual move, the Florida House of Representatives adjourned this afternoon and effectively ended the 2015 legislative session.  The Florida Senate remains in session, but at this point it can only pass legislation that has already passed the House. The House’s adjournment came after comments from Speaker Crisafulli indicating that the two chambers have […]

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Policymakers Divided on Medicaid Expansion

Policymakers Divided on Medicaid Expansion

Implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act has quickly shaped up to be perhaps the highest profile and most hotly debated issue of the 2013 legislative session.  Governor Rick Scott surprised many when he announced shortly before the session that he supports expanding Medicaid to comply with the Affordable Care Act.  Several Republican policymakers promptly […]

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Lawmakers Wrestle with Affordable Care Act Implementation

Lawmakers Wrestle with Affordable Care Act Implementation

Most observers would concede that Florida’s insurance code is complicated enough as it stands.  In the health insurance context, it contains numerous requirements governing insurers, their financial requirements and obligations, product offerings and benefits, and other issues.  This year, Florida lawmakers are dealing with an added dimension of complexity–  reconciling the insurance code to the […]

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OIR Discusses Status of Federal Health Care Reform

OIR Discusses Status of Federal Health Care Reform

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation recently summarized the status of implementation of federal health care reform at a meeting of the Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board.  Michelle Robleto, the OIR’s Deputy Commissioner overseeing life and health insurance, provided the update. The OIR’s summary began with a recap of the new law, including the reforms […]

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Counties to Challenge Medicaid Accounting Law

Counties to Challenge Medicaid Accounting Law

The Florida Association of Counties announced this week that it would challenge HB 5301, which passed in the recent legislative session and has been signed into law by Governor Rick Scott.  Three counties (Pasco, Manatee and Leon) have indicated they will join the association’s suit and other counties also are expected to do so.  The counties […]

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