Press Releases

GOVERNOR JEB BUSH SIGNS LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO KIDCARE

~New legislation to give families improved flexibility in signing up for the vital health insurance program for children~

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today signed legislation that provides year round open enrollment for the Kidcare state health insurance program for children from low-income families. Under previous law, families could only apply for KidCare during two limited enrollment periods. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Rene Garcia and Senator Nan Rich.

        "Our goal has always been to empower KidCare to serve as many children as possible by using all the resources at our disposal," said Governor Bush.  "By creating a year-round enrollment period, more Florida families than ever before will have greater opportunity to enroll their children in KidCare."

        By making the best use of state and federal dollars to insure the most children for the longest period of time, KidCare has become an important provider of health insurance for millions of Florida children.  Since Governor Bush took office in 1998, funding for the KidCare program including Medicaid for children has increased by $1.4 billion, or more than 85 percent.  The number of children served by the program has grown from about 800,000 to almost 1.6 million, an increase of nearly 94 percent.

        "The Governor and the Agency for Health Care Administration remain committed to providing health care coverage to Florida's needy children," said AHCA Secretary Alan Levine.  "Year-round enrollment will give these children unprecedented access to the care they need to live healthy, productive lives."

        For more information on the KidCare program, please visit www.healthykids.org or www.myflorida.com.

AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
~Key position to serve as health policy advisor for the Agency~

TALLAHASSEE - The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Alan Levine today announced the appointment of Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr., as Chief Medical Officer. The Chief Medical Officer will help shape health care policy at AHCA, advising the Secretary and the Agency on health policy and planning.

“AHCA is committed to improving the quality and affordability of health care in the State of Florida,” said AHCA Secretary Alan Levine. “With Dr. Thorpe’s guidance on public health issues, as well as his leadership within the Agency, we will have even more opportunity to fulfill that mission. I am proud to welcome Dr. Thorpe to the outstanding team here at AHCA.”

In addition to his role as chief health care policy adviser at AHCA, the Chief Medical Officer will serve as a liaison between the Agency, health care providers and Florida citizens. Dr. Thorpe will also provide health policy leadership to AHCA’s bureaus and area offices.

“Quality health care administration starts with good public health policy. With the addition of Dr. Thorpe as Chief Medical Officer, AHCA has taken a great step forward for the health care of all Floridians,” said Florida Medical Association EVP/CEO Sandra Mortham. “AHCA will be well served by a talent like Dr. Thorpe, and I applaud Secretary Levine for making a doctor one of AHCA’s highest-ranking staff members.”

Dr. Thorpe holds a Masters of Public Health as well as a Doctor of Medicine. With more than 10 years of experience as a health policy advocate and leader, Dr. Thorpe has demonstrated a passion for advancing the quality of health care for all. As a former health care CEO and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Thorpe helped lead the integration of emerging technologies into Florida health care and medicine during the 1990s. He has served on numerous health care boards, including the Board of the Broward County Medical Association (BCMA).

“Advancing the accessibility of quality health care has been my primary focus throughout my career,” said Dr. Thorpe. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve my fellow citizens by promoting sound health care policy in the State of Florida.”’

Working to improve access to affordable, quality health care to all Floridians, the state Agency for Health Care Administration administers Florida's $14 billion Medicaid program, licenses and regulates more than 32,000 health care facilities and 30 health maintenance organizations, and publishes health care data and statistics.

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STATEMENT FROM AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION SECRETARY ALAN LEVINE REGARDING THE PASSAGE OF MEDICAID REFORM LEGISLATION

“I applaud Governor Bush and the members and staff of the Florida Legislature for their hard work in passing Medicaid reform legislation. A new system of delivering health care services starts with a commitment to testing new ideas and innovation. The legislation passed this evening provides us with the guidance we need as we develop the federal waivers necessary to begin testing a new Medicaid model.

"The Agency for Health Care Administration looks forward to working with our state and federal partners as we embark on these changes.”

CONSUMER-DIRECTED HEALTH CARE PLANS NOT LIKELY TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS
Care Management for High-Cost Patients More Effective Way to Control Costs; Evidence Warns of Reduction in Needed Care, Favorable Risk Selection in CDHC
August 19, 2004
For further information, contact:
Mary Mahon: (212) 606-3853 /mm@cmwf.org
cell phone (917) 225-2314

Re-Opening Florida’s High-Risk Pool Would Benefit All Floridians
January 15, 2004
National Association of Health Underwriters

Agency Receives Results of 2004 Florida Health Insurance Study
November 3, 2004

The 2004 Affordable Health Care for Floridians Act Provides Florida Health
Care Consumers With Better Prices And More Information
April 27, 2004
National Association of Health Underwriters

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