Newspapers recently reported on developments related to health care in Florida, Kansas and South Carolina. Summaries of the coverage appear below.
Florida: The Florida House on Wednesday voted 98-14 to approve legislation that would overhaul KidCare, the state's SCHIP, the AP/Florida Times-Union reports (Royse, AP/Florida Times-Union, 4/25). The bill would streamline the program's enrollment process; provide more early screening services for beneficiaries; fund community awareness campaigns; allow people to enroll in the program throughout the year; and expand eligibility requirements for children (St. John, Tallahassee Democrat, 4/26). An amendment introduced to the bill that would have barred undocumented immigrants from enrolling in the program was rejected. The bill now moves to the Senate (AP/Florida Times-Union, 4/25).
Kansas: The Kansas Legislature on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation (S 11) that would establish a series of studies into the state's options for addressing health care affordability and the growing number of uninsured residents, the Wichita Eagle reports. Under the bill, the Health Policy Authority would be required to research the cost and benefit of various options, including expanding state-funded programs, privatizing Medicaid and subsidizing private insurance. The authority will report to the state Legislature in November. In addition, the bill requires additional health screenings for newborn children; creates a Medicaid fraud and abuse inspector general; provides a fund for high-risk insurance groups; encourages the use of pre-tax income for health costs; and creates a premium assistance program for families with annual incomes up to 100% of the federal poverty level who are ineligible for Medicaid (Klepper, Wichita Eagle, 4/26).
South Carolina: The South Carolina House on Wednesday voted 78-37 to approve a measure that would increase the state tax on cigarettes by 30 cents per pack, Morris News/Augusta Chronicle reports. Lawmakers rejected several proposals that would have used tobacco tax funds for more youth smoking prevention and cessation programs, health care for lower-income state residents and cleanup of spills from underground storage tanks. The bill provides $1 million for a program that promotes healthy eating habits. The bill now moves to the Senate (Singleton, Morris News/Augusta Chronicle, 4/26).
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