In recent years, legislators have wrestled with the issue of Bariatric Surgery (obesity correction), which was removed from the coverages of the State Health Benefits Plan about four years ago. Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) finally got HB 511 to the finish line in the form of a two-year pilot program that includes three types of …
HB 965 passed — providing “amnesty” in drug overdose cases, allowing someone to transport a person to the emergency room without facing arrest. Language also passed allowing EMTs and others to carry and administer opioid antagonists that are designed to counter some drug overdoses. STATES: Georgia (2014)
Perhaps no two bills were involved in more parliamentary maneuvering than HB 885 and SB 397. HB 885 would have allowed limited use of liquid extracts from marijuana for the treatment of seizure disorders, primarily in children, and was strongly favored by the House. SB 397 would have required insurance companies to provide coverage for …
A hospital tour can help you accomplish many things. We are a visual society. Having a lawmaker or candidate tour the hospital, and see what you and your co-workers do every day, is compelling and educational. Schedule the tour at a time and place where multiple employees will have the ability to meet him/her. Include …
Calling legislators is very effective, particularly in the days just before they are scheduled to take action or vote on the issue. To prepare for the conversation, jot down a few notes containing the key points you want to make, and refer to the notes during your call. Unless you know the elected official, you …
One of the most effective ways to gain the attention of elected officials and their staff, outside of visiting their office, is to attend a town hall or community meeting. Legislators arrange these meetings to hear from their constituents. To accommodate travel schedules, they generally occur when they are not in session. Town hall meetings …
An email or letter from a constituent is a very powerful advocacy tool. In general, an effective email should be limited to fewer than 500 words and a letter to one or two pages at the most. Start and end your correspondence by stating why you are writing and what it is you would like …
Wherever you live in Florida, an HCA hospital is nearby to provide the high-quality care you and your family need, when you need it most. Our 45 state-of-the-art hospitals care for millions of Floridians each year, making HCA the leading provider of health care services in the Sunshine State. Above all else, HCA is committed …
Politicians need friends and advisors. They will listen to and consider the information they get from their friends even when they do not (or cannot) agree with them. Politics is the art of compromise. Your officials cannot always hold your position. If they cannot support you on one issue, they will want to support you …
We’re only two weeks away from the start of the 2015 legislative session in the Sunshine State. Florida’s lawmakers will debate an array of important and fascinating issues during the 60-day session.The following eight non-healthcare issues are generating a lot of buzz in Tallahassee. Expect another list of healthcare-specific issues before legislative session kicks off …