Volume II Issue 7
April 18, 2008 |
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Calendar
- Monday, April 21, 2008
- 8 a.m. – N/A
Joint Revenue Estimating Impact Conference
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
House Policy & Budget Council
- 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Senate Criminal Justice
- 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Senate Judiciary
- 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Budget Conference
- Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Day 50: 1 Hour Conference Committee Meeting Notice Rule
- 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Budget Conference
- 9 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m.
House Healthcare Council
- 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Senate General Government Appropriations
- 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations
- 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Senate Education Pre-K – 12 Appropriations
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
House Session
- 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Senate Governmental Operations
- 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
House Budget Conference
- 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Senate Budget Conference
- Wednesday, April 23, 2008
- 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Senate Budget Conference
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
House Session
- 9:30 a.m. – N/A
Senate Session
- Thursday, April 24, 2008
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
House Session
- 9:30 a.m. – N/A
Senate Session
- Friday, April 25, 2008
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
House Session
- 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Senate Session
House Select Committee on Autism and Developmental Disorders
The Select Committee continued its work on Monday, April 14, 2008, and Staff Director Carol Gormley gave an overview of issues and strategies that could help improve outcomes for individuals with autism. Some of the issues included better education for early diagnosis; strengthening the continuum of care for children ages zero to three; expanding Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) choices for pre-schoolers; waiving the McKay Scholarship requirement for one year of public school; increasing the number of trained specialists certified to provide behavior analysis services and other innovative interventions coupled with a Medicaid "booster" for families with incomes below 150% of poverty; and increased funding for services provided through the Developmental Disabilities waivers.
Lack of coordination among service providers and denial of coverage by insurance companies due to "pre-existing" conditions were also cited as obstacles. Much discussion occurred regarding expansion of services in existing programs such as Kid Care and Early Steps.
A Mediciad Impact Conference was held on April 17 to determine the fiscal impact for some of the suggestions that had been raised. The Committee will meet again on Monday, April 21 to review the data.
Senate Health Policy Committee
On Tuesday, April 15, 2008, the Senate Health Policy Committee heard SB 2684, the Medicaid "buy-in" bill by Senator Victor Crist (R-Tampa).
The bill establishes coverage for working disabled individuals’ aged 16 through 64 who would be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if earnings equal to 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) were disregarded, and if the individuals unearned income does not exceed 88 percent of the FPL. Individuals must also pass an asset test that specifies that, after disregarding $8,000 in assets for an individual and $9,000 for a couple, the remaining countable assets must be within the $2,000 SSI asset limit
($3,000 for a couple). An additional car exclusion applies if there is a spouse.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is required to seek amendments to existing Medicaid waiver coverage groups that would allow those who are eligible under the proposed Medicaid buy-in to be eligible to receive services provided under a disabled waiver program.
The buy-in option essentially allows someone with a disability to work competitively, increase their wage and keep the Medicaid assistance required to afford adequate medical care. Florida is one of only 11 states to not include this option in their state Medicaid plan.
Senate/House Session
The Senate and House met in session several times during the week, and took up the following bills.
- SB 370, introduced by Senator Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville), expands the Personal Care Attendant program eligibility to include persons who have severe and chronic disabilities of all kinds. The bill was passed by the Senate and is now pending action by the House.
- HB 233, sponsored by Representative Tom Anderson (R-Holiday), reclassifies the offense of aggravated abuse of an elderly or disabled person from a second degree felony to a first degree felony. The bill has been placed on the House calendar, but has not been taken up yet.
- SB 366, a companion bill to HB 233, sponsored by Senator Gwen Margolis (D-Bay Harbor Islands), is identical to HB 233. The bill has been passed by the Senate and is now pending action by the House.
- HB 91, sponsored by Representative Curtis Richardson (D-Tallahassee), requires that district school boards designate the first two weeks in October each year as “Disability History and Awareness Weeks.” District school boards would provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools. The bill has been placed on the House calendar, but has not been taken up yet.
- SB 856, the companion bill to HB 91, sponsored by Senate Education Pre-K – 12 and introduced by Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), was amended to make it identical to HB 91. The bill was passed by the Senate and is now pending action by the House.
- SB 2654, sponsored by Senator Steven Geller (D-Hallendale Beach), requires large group health insurance plans to provide coverage for diagnostic screening, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Benefits and coverage must be provided to eligible persons who are under 18 years of age or who are in high school. The bill was read the second time and is now pending final action in the Senate.
- HB 333, sponsored by Representative Peter Nehr (R-Tarpon Springs), requires the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to prepare a plan for review and comment if there is an announced intent to close or reduce census by 20 percent or more at either Tacachale or Sunland developmental disabilities centers. The bill was read the second time and is now pending final action in the House.
- SB 862, the companion bill to HB 333, sponsored by Governmental Operations; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, introduced by Senator Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), is identical to HB 333. The bill was reported favorable by its last committee and has been referred to the Senate.
- HB 739, sponsored by the Healthcare Council and introduced by Representative Kevin Ambler (R-Tampa), revises how guardian advocates are selected and the procedures that must be followed. The bill has been referred to the House, but has not been taken up yet.
- HB 7075, sponsored by Representative Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) at the request of APD, makes substantive changes to Chapter 393 and Chapter 916 relating to developmental disabilities. The bill was read the second time and is now pending final action by the House.
- SB 1954, a companion bill to HB 7075, sponsored by Senator Nan Rich (D-Sunrise) at the request of APD, makes substantive changes to Chapter 393 and Chapter 916 relating to developmental disabilities. The bill was reported favorable from its last committee and has been placed on the Senate calendar for second reading.
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