Medicaid

The hospitals received help from federal funding and Medicaid expansion during the public health emergency.

The chambers are split over part of the bill that deals with disputes between managed-care plans and “essential” providers, such as children’s hospitals and teaching hospitals.

A bill under discussion in the state House would help babies born into low-income families get access to breast milk when its needed.

The Health & Human Services Committee OK'd the bill, positioning it to go to the full House. The revision would keep dental services as a carve-out.

A House version of the Medicaid bill includes a controversial proposed change that would bring dental services under the umbrella of the managed care plans.

The Florida Hospital Association said the House budget is harsher on hospitals, but said both chambers are proposing to eliminate funds for facilities that treat large numbers of Medicaid patients.

Perhaps the most controversial part of the proposal, which was approved by the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, centers on how dental services would be provided to Medicaid beneficiaries.

Jodi Ray of Florida Covering Kids & Families says one reason for the jump may be the Biden administration’s push for more resources toward marketing and outreach, particularly through the American Rescue Plan.

The state argued that federal law allows recouping part of the settlement designated for future medical expenses.

The Legislature voted to add a string of opt out provisions to any COVID-19 mandates that have created confusion and uncertainty for facilities that must abide by federal rules.

Researchers are calling for policy changes to improve health equity. They say one way Florida can do that is by expanding Medicaid.

The latest iteration of President Joe Biden’s social-spending package would close the health insurance gap for at least 2.2 million people, including more than 400,000 in Florida, where political opposition has blocked Medicaid expansion.