Advocates complain it is difficult to get information about Gov. Jeb Bush's reform proposals.
By ALISA ULFERTS
Published March 31, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - Miriam Harmatz was stunned after she hung up with state health care officials earlier this month.
Harmatz, a Miami lawyer with Florida Legal Services, had just been told that no paper records exist on Gov. Jeb Bush's plans to reform Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for the poor.
Electronic records might exist, Harmatz said she was told. But it would cost her $2,925 to get them.
"We've never (before) been told, "Gee, we don't know if there are any records or not, and it will cost you $3,000 to find out,"' said Harmatz, who represents Medicaid patients in disputes with the state.
Agency officials couldn't confirm the price late Tuesday.
Harmatz is one of a number of health care advocates around the state who say they are finding it difficult to get information about Bush's plan to make Florida a pilot project in reforming Medicaid, the largest entitlement program in the country and one whose spiraling cost is straining state budgets.
Bush wants more flexibility from the federal government. In exchange, he wants to cap federal funding, which would make the costs more predictable for the state but could leave some poor Floridians without the traditional guarantee of coverage.
Some social service advocates have accused Bush of trying to unravel the safety net.
In addition to the price quoted for electronic records, Harmatz and other advocates point to language in a House bill that would grant Bush's office the authority to sidestep the state's public comment and notice rules normally required whenever the state tries to change any of its Medicaid services.
A Bush spokeswoman said his office hadn't reviewed the language in question but said Bush was committed to public comment.
A letter that went out to social service advocates Tuesday from Agency for Health Care Administration interim Secretary Mary Pat Moore asks for interested parties to submit their suggestions by April 23.
Lawmakers from both chambers who are involved in the Medicaid issue said they would review the language and promised the public would be advised of any plans to change Medicaid.
"We want public input," said Rep. Frank Farkas, the St. Petersburg Republican who chairs the House Health Care Committee.
"There will be public comment," added Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, who oversees health care spending in the Senate. "Trust me."
