As the end of the 2020 legislative session nears, the Florida House and Senate need to resolve key health-care policy and budget issues. Here are seven big issues to watch:

Why its in play Persistence. Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, never faltered in his push for independent practice. Its one of the few issues Oliva didnt get passed in 2019, and he is determined to get it done this year.

Why its in play This is one of a number of proposals that Oliva has championed during his tenure as House speaker, maintaining they will help lower health-care costs for the uninsured and keep people out of emergency rooms. Oliva has opposed expanding Medicaid coverage for uninsured people.

Why its in play Galvano told reporters in December that he has a real heart for this population.

Why its in play The genetic testing issue has been a priority of incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican who is a cancer survivor. Its unusual for incoming House speakers to file bills; they usually have other members to take on that task.

Why its in play This could be a take-home issue for Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who faces term limits this year. Bradley last year was successful at chipping away at the amount of supplemental hospital payments and wants more this year.

Why its in play The changes would help Lighthouse Health Plan in the Panhandle, Vivida Health in Southwest Florida and Miami Childrens Health Plan in Southeast Florida, which are provider-sponsored networks that signed five-year contracts with the state in 2018. AHCAs current policy, the provider-sponsored networks argue, impedes their expansion in the market and benefits legacy managed-care plans.

Excerpt from:
Beyond coronavirus: The seven biggest healthcare issues to watch in Florida right now - Orlando Weekly

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