SB 7044- Relating to Health Care Insurance Affordability Exchange
On Wednesday, March 25th, SB 7044, relating to Health Care Insurance Affordability Exchange, by the Senate Health Policy Committee  unanimously passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee  with 18 yeas and 0 nays.

The Florida Senate took a momentous step in reforming health care coverage in this state. This bill will make health care coverage available to almost 1 million more working Floridians through the creation of the Florida Health Insurance Exchange (FHIX). SB 7044 will now move on to the Senate floor for a vote. AIF stood in support of this bill.

AIF will focus its efforts on proposals that seek to increase the accessibility and affordability of quality health care for Florida residents.

AIF released the following press release regarding the progress of SB 7044:

AIF Applauds Senate Committee on Appropriations for Approving FHIX
& Sending it to the Floor

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement attributable to Tamela Perdue, general counsel for AIF, applauding members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations for approving Senate Bill 7044, which would establish the Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program (FHIX).

“This is a significant step forward on an issue that profoundly impacts Florida taxpayers, businesses and, ultimately, our economy; and, we thank the Florida Senate, Senate President Andy Gardiner and all Senators who have engaged in a thoughtful policy discussion on this bill throughout the process thus far.

“It’s imperative that we continue to discuss how uncompensated hospital care in our state is paid for, as, right now, the cost is being born by Florida businesses and is severely damaging their ability to grow and prosper in the Sunshine State.

“AIF looks forward to a continued dialogue on this free-market, Florida-centric public policy proposal that seeks to find a solution to reform health care coverage for nearly one million Floridians, as its merits are discussed and debated on the Senate floor.”

For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.

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SB 784- Relating to Health Care
On Monday, March 23rd, SB 784, by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Destin) , unanimously passed through its second stop in the Senate Health Policy Committee with 8 yeas and 0 nays.

SB 784 would attack the cost savings measures used by health plans with prescription drugs.  The bill would establish a Clinical Practices Review Commission within the Department of Health to review prior authorization, step therapy, or other protocols submitted by health plans.  The commission would determine if the limitation is supported by sufficient clinical evidence. The fear is that it will raise health care costs for employers who provide their employees with health care. AIF’s General Counsel, Tammy Perdue, stood in opposition of this bill.

AIF opposes legislation that would make quality health care more expensive for Florida’s residents and employers.

AIF released the following statement on SB 784:

AIF Asks Senate Committee on Health Policy to Vote Down Senate Bill 784

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement attributable to Tamela Perdue, general counsel for AIF, asking members of the Senate Committee on Health Policy to vote down Senate Bill 784, which would change the current, effective method of prior authorization, step edit therapy and protocols.

“This bill, which is being brought forth under the guise of providing the ‘right drugs’ at the ‘right time,’ is only going to be successful at raising the price of prescription medication by forcing insurers and consumers to purchase the most expensive drug treatments, even when equally effective therapies are available at lower costs.

“In addition, this bad public policy will expand the role of government by creating a state-run commission that would dictate how pharmaceuticals and other medical services are made available to consumers.  This is a function that the private sector already performs, and performs well; and, as such, AIF opposes this increased regulation and bureaucratic red tape that this bill would impose.

“We respectfully ask members of the Senate Committee on Health Policy to vote down on SB 784 today and not let this bad policy move forward in the process.”

For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.

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