House, Senate Ready To Take Up Dueling Health Plans
April 24, 2013
The House and Senate are ready to take up their dueling alternatives to expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act.
But a third possibility — call it “Beancare” — is all but dead.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan by Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, to tap into billions of dollars in federal money to offer private health-insurance to low-income Floridians. The plan (SB 1816), which appears to have broad support in the Senate and the backing of Gov. Rick Scott, is now ready to go to the Senate floor.
But while the committee also approved a far-smaller health coverage proposal by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, the bill (SB 1844) likely won’t be heard again.
Senate Rules Chairman John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said he doesn’t see a need for the full Senate to take up the Bean proposal because it is similar to a House bill that is expected to go to the House floor later this week. That bill (HB 7169) would reject accepting federal money and would offer $2,000 state subsidies to help poor people get health coverage.
Bean, whose proposal would reject federal money and offer subsidies of $10 a month, had asked the Appropriations Committee to approve his bill to keep options open.
“This is an alternative, because who knows where we’re going to go with expansion of health care for individuals?” he asked.
Similar questions are being asked throughout the Capitol as lawmakers speed toward the May 3 end of the legislative session. House and Senate Republican leaders have rejected the idea of a Medicaid expansion that was part of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.
But they have taken dramatically different positions as they seek to come up with an alternative to the Medicaid expansion. While the Senate is willing to use federal funds to offer private health insurance to roughly 1 million Floridians, House Republicans have repeatedly said they do not think the state should rely on money from Washington.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said Tuesday it is “OK that we’re in different places right now,” and he hopes the House and Senate can reach an agreement by the end of the legislative session.
“But if we’re not, that doesn’t mean that the world comes to an end; it just means that we’re going to have to continue to talk in the off-season and see if we can’t find some middle ground later,” Weatherford said.
Scott drew national headlines in February when he announced support for expanding Medicaid. But with that idea going nowhere in the Legislature, he reiterated his support Tuesday for the Negron alternative.
As a sign of how senators have lined up behind the Negron bill, there was almost no discussion before the Appropriations Committee approved it. Also, a wide range of interest groups — including AARP, the Service Employees International Union, the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida Association of Health Plans — simply signaled their support from the audience, instead of testifying on the bill.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Gets Life For Assaulting Two Children
April 24, 2013
An Escambia County man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for the sexual assault of two children.
Brandon Wilder was sentenced by Circuit Judge Ross Goodman after being convicted on March 6 of charges related to sexual activity with two separate children.
Wilder was convicted of two counts of sexual battery on a victim less that 12 years old and one count of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 years old or older but under 16.
The charges stemmed from activity between 2004 and 2008, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Ida Ross Hall
April 24, 2013
Ida Ross Hall, 82, of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born March 12, 1931, in Escambia Co. AL. Ida grew up in Escambia County, but during Gene’s active military service lived in Ft. Jackson, SC and Ft. Bragg, NC. They returned to Atmore and have lived there ever since. She retired as a bookkeeper from the Escambia County Junior High and Escambia County High School after approximately 15 years. She also worked for Atmore Community Hospital and Daniel Insurance Company. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, fishing, and spending time with her friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Ardell Ross and infant daughter Kathy Jean Hall.
She is survived by her husband, Gene Hall; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and David Sommerman; grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew Sommerman; brother, Jeff Ross, and many cousins nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 25, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Heard officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her nephews, Devon Jones, James Hall, Hilbert Hall; great nephews, Eric Hall and Jeremy Hall, and cousin Patrick Godwin. Honorary pallbearers will be her other many nephews and great nephews.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
FHP Releases Details Of Sunday Highway 29 Crash
April 23, 2013
Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Highway Patrol released details about a two vehicle crash early Sunday evening that injured four people on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road.
According to FHP, Blaze Thomas Harkness, age 18 of Century, was stopped at the stop sign on Byrneville Road when he turned his 2004 Dodge Durango onto Highway 29 and into the path of a northbound 2008 Chevrolet Aveo driven by 28-year old Jessica Moore Gates of LaGrange, GA.
Harkeness was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. Jessica Gates and a passenger, 23-year Timisha Gates of LaGrange, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. A backseat passenger in the vehicle, 10-year old Mykeria Thomas was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious but stable condition.
Harkness was cited for failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
Escambia County EMS and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Four people were injured in this two-vehicle crash Sunday evening on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Quickly Extinguish School Dumpster Fire
April 23, 2013
Two fire stations responded to a dumpster fire at Northview High School this afternoon. The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. in dumpster located in the rear of the student parking lot. There was no damage to any surrounding vehicles and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
LIVE VIDEO: Auburn Oaks At Toomer’s Corner Cut Down Today
April 23, 2013
The iconic oak trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn were cut down today, after being poisoned by a rival fan in 2010.
The twin, century-old oak trees have celebrated Auburn’s spirit with countless thousands of revelers who have engaged in the long-standing tradition of “rolling Toomer’s Corner,” a celebration occurring after every significant Auburn sports victory.
The university unveiled plans on Saturday for the redevelopment of the corner (pictured left, click to enlarge).
An arcing path design, set to be implemented in 2014 with the planting of two oak trees, was selected after a series of public workshops and an online survey in which more than 10,000 alumni, students, fans and friends provided opinions and ideas.
“We are unveiling the results of your ideas today,” said Bill Stone, Auburn Alumni Association president, who helped unveil an artist’s rendering. “I can tell one thing for certain: Live trees will be planted on the corner and the great tradition of rolling the corner will continue.”
Officials said the new design will place trees farther back from the intersection; maintain the existing and historic character of the corner; retain the 1917 gates in their current positions; add more seating and shaded areas; and include the planting of additional trees along a curved walkway through Samford Park.
Pictured below: The Auburn oaks at Toomer’s Corner were rolled one last time this past Saturday. Image courtesy Auburn University for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Loses Again: Health Dept. Dental Clinic Closing
April 23, 2013
The Escambia County dental clinic in Century will close effective April 30.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia COunty announced Monday that it will “merge” the pediatric and adult dental clinics service North Escambia into one location by closing the Century clinic while the Molino clinic remains open. Both clinics are operated under contract by ProMed Healthcare Services.
The Century clinic currently averages about 160 patient visits per month.
“We are very disappointed that they feel like…our people can get to the office in Molino for services,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. ” They don’t realize our transportation challenges.”
“When I learned of the impending closure of the Century clinic,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said, “I felt nauseous, another blow to a reeling community. I spoke to (health department Director) Dr. John Lanza last week and he assured me the Molino clinic will gladly serve the patients who are being displaced.
“I also spoke to Don Turner, Executive Director of Escambia Community Clinics, last week. Escambia Community Clinics may well be the future of the Medicaid dental programs in Escambia County. The vast majority of our residents served are adolescents, who potentially face life long stigmas and repercussions from a lack of access to dental care during their early years. I’m optimistic that as a community and as a county, we can formulate a workable solution to the issue,” Barry continued.
“We would love to see them reconsider,” McCall said.
Clients receiving dental services at the Century location will be able to transfer their care to the dental clinic located at 3470 Highway 29 North near Molino,, to another FDOH-EC dental clinic, or to any other dental office accepting their dental Medicaid plan.
According to the health department:
- The Molino dental clinic will continue to provide services for both adult and pediatric clients participating in Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, and Healthy Kids dental insurance programs.
- The dental clinic located in the FDOH-EC Northside Pensacola service center at 8390 North Palafox Street, in the Ensley community, will continue to provide pediatric dental services to clients participating in Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, and Healthy Kids dental insurance programs. Beginning May 1, 2013, adult clients using Florida Medicaid or DentaQuest may have tooth extractions performed at this location.
- Clients using Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, or Healthy Kids may also receive services at the dental clinic at the FDOH-EC main service center, located at 1295 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.
- All dental clinics provide services Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 pm. For more information, contact the Molino clinic at (850) 587-2544, the Fairfield Drive location at (850) 595-6600 or the Ensley clinic at (850) 471-683.
Over the past several years, Century has lost numerous county and state facilities, including all public schools, a tax collector’s office and medical service from the health department.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Shots Fired During Century Robbery
April 23, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into the shots fired robbery of two individuals in Century.
The incident happened Friday night at a car wash in the 8900 block of North Century Boulevard. Two armed black males took money, cellphones and a vehicle key from the victim after firing a shot into the victims’ vehicle, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. There were no injuries, and the vehicle was not stolen.
The suspects fled on foot.
Escambia County (Fla.) deputies took a report on the incident after the victims fled to the Flomaton Police Department.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-7867.
Jay Out Of District Baseball Tourney, Northview Faces Freeport Today
April 23, 2013
The District 2-1A baseball tournament got underway Monday in Baker, with Jay and Chipley eliminated.
No. 6 seed Freeport beat the No. 3 Jay Royals Monday, 8-5. Freeport will face the No. 2 seed Northview Chiefs at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
No. 5 Baker beat Chipley 7-3 on Monday, with Baker set to face No. 1 Bonifay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Northescambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Civil Citation Program Offers Alternative To Arrest For Escambia Youth
April 23, 2013
Florida’s juvenile civil citation process has been launched across Escambia County, allowing law enforcement officers to issue a civil citation to juveniles who commit first-time, non-violent offenders rather than making an arrest.
“Youth who break the law absolutely must be held accountable for their actions; civil citation is a great way to do that without establishing an arrest record, which can ruin their chances of a successful future. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to get to the root of what is causing the youth’s behavior and address those underlying issues, decreasing the likelihood they will re-offend while also saving taxpayer dollars,” said Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters.
Youth issued the civil citations must complete required sanctions to leave the program without an arrest record. If the child fails to complete the civil citation requirements, the arrest proceeds.
“We are enthusiastic about the possibilities of this multifaceted approach to diverting young people from a life of criminal activity as well as affording them a chance to not be labeled for life with a criminal record,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan.
During fiscal year 2011-2012, there were 2,242 youth arrests in Escambia County. Of those, 562 were first-time misdemeanors that would have saved about $2.6 million if civil citations had been issued, officials said.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has been a strong supporter of the county-wide expansion. Juvenile civil citations have been available to youths committing first-time misdemeanors in Escambia County’s schools since September 2012.
“Civil citations offer first time offending youth an opportunity to learn from their mistake and avoid the lifetime stigma that an arrest will create. I applaud all of the agencies involved for their leadership in providing civil citations county-wide,” Thomas said.
State Attorney Bill Eddins, Public Defender Bruce Miller, Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons and Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May also participated in a Monday press conference to announce the program.
Pictured top inset: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters speaks during a Monday afternoon press conference as Sheriff David Morgan looks on. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas expresses his support for the new county-wide civil citation process. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.