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Legislature works slowly on overhaul of Medicaid
Associated Press
Published March 29, 2005
Despite a strong push from Gov. Jeb Bush to revamp the Medicaid health insurance system for the poor and elderly, lawmakers are moving slowly on the issue.
Bush unveiled a proposal to overhaul the program earlier this year, suggesting it should work more like a private managed care system, making a bid to rein in costs.
While committees in the House and Senate are working on legislation to spell out some changes to the program, it is becoming increasingly clear that no wholesale changes will take place soon.
A Senate panel that worked on a draft recommendation essentially suggested Monday that the governor be allowed to ask the federal government for permission to make the changes he wants, but that any final proposal must come back before the Legislature, which finishes its annual session May 6.
Afterward, the chairwoman, Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, suggested that nothing substantive would go into effect this spring.
A House committee is taking up a bill that would create a pilot program to start any type of Medicaid change on a limited basis in some areas, most likely South Florida and Jacksonville.
Senate committee votes to drop runoff primary
Florida's runoff primary election, which catapulted some renowned politicians into office, may soon be only a memory.
The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee Monday combined two bills (SB 1268 and SB 1956) that would eliminate the second primary. The bill has another stop in the Judiciary Committee on its way to the full Senate.
County elections supervisors want to repeal the runoff, held when no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the first primary election. They say a requirement that the primary, runoff and general election happen within nine weeks hampers their ability to get absentee ballots out in time. The Legislature has suspended the last two runoff elections.
Similar legislation is proceeding through the House.
Panel of scientists would advise on coastal issues
Environmental groups and several lawmakers support a measure that would appoint a group of scientists to advise the Legislature on decisions affecting Florida's water and coasts. The group would also help coordinate research across the state.
Sponsor Sen. Paula Dockery said she anticipates no resistance to the bill (SB 1670), which is due to begin moving through Senate committees today. A similar House measure (HB 1627) is sponsored by Rep. Donna Clarke, R-Sarasota.
Supporters say such a group would help lawmakers bypass politics and focus on scientific facts.
The 13 scientists would be joined by two state agency representatives, one from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and one from the Department of Environmental Protection.
For information about legislation, call 1-800-342-1827 toll-free or (850) 488-4371 during business hours.
The Legislature's official Web site: www.leg.state.fl.us
Capitol Update, a half-hour TV program on the day's legislative highlights, airs weeknights on public stations.
[Last modified March 29, 2005, 05:40:37]
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