Negron Eyes Possible Medicaid Changes
December 27, 2016
With Donald Trump moving into the White House and Republicans controlling Congress, Florida Senate President Joe Negron said he wants to start working on a “framework” for how the state could move forward with major changes in the Medicaid program.
Conservatives have long discussed the idea of turning Medicaid into a block-grant program that would give states more flexibility in crafting details of how they provide health care to low-income residents. That discussion has been refueled with last month’s election of Trump, who has made Medicaid block grants part of his health-care platform.
Negron said he has he talked with Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Dana Young, R-Tampa, and Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairwoman Anitere Flores, R-Miami, about “building a framework for what a block grant program would look like now that there is a reasonable chance that would happen.”
“I don’t want to want to wait until the federal government acts and Congress acts and then we go into next session and try to build it,” Negron, R-Stuart, said. “I’d like to build out the model of what a Florida-run Medicaid system would look like, and then when Washington acts, Florida would be ready to go.”
Medicaid, which is funded by the federal and state governments, is a highly complicated program that provides care to about 4 million Florida residents, which children making up more than half of the state’s enrollees, according to presentations given this month to lawmakers.
The program is governed by federal laws, with states able to seek approval for what are known as “waivers” to make changes. Perhaps the best example in Florida is a waiver that the state has used in recent years to require most Medicaid beneficiaries to enroll in managed-care plans.
Broadly, a shift to a block-grant program would involve the federal government sending money to states, which would have more freedom to run the programs as they wish. But such a change would be controversial and need approval in Washington, with critics contending that it ultimately would lead to cuts in health-care funding for low-income people.
“A Medicaid block grant would institute deep cuts to federal funding for state Medicaid programs and threaten benefits for tens of millions of low-income families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities,” the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said in a report posted online Nov. 30. “To compensate for these severe funding cuts, states would likely have no choice but to institute draconian cuts to eligibility, benefits, and provider payments.”
But with Florida, like Washington, fully controlled by Republicans for at least the next two years, leaders including Negron and Gov. Rick Scott are touting the idea of moving to a block-grant system — a change that Negron likened to inventing the “system from scratch.”
“I think that gives us a lot more flexibility for our Medicaid system and hopefully would, I think, provide an extraordinary opportunity for the House and the Senate to look at ways to perhaps make health insurance available to men and women who get up and go to work every day in Florida but maybe can’t pay the full cost of their health insurance,” Negron said.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Two Arrested After Escambia County Shots Fired Incident
December 27, 2016
Two people were arrested after a shots fired incident Monday morning in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call about 5:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Fairfield Drive. No one was found to be injured.
The victim told deputies she was in a physical altercation with her ex-boyfriend when he fired a gun.
Tre-marcus Williams was apprehended while running from the crime scene in a car. Shaqur Fank, a passenger in the car, was found to have ammunition and narcotics on him.
Williams has been charged with aggravated assault, battery, firing a weapon and possessing a weapon.
Fank has been charged with possessing a weapon and drug possession.
2016 In Photos: January
December 27, 2016
Today, we begin our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at January.
A Hazmat team was called to Cantonment to investigate a suspicious white power received by a resident in a package delivery.
Above: A close call between an 18-wheeler and a train near Atmore. The train was forced to make an emergency stop.
Molino Park Elementary School students celebrated the 100th day of the school year by dressing up like 100-year olds.
A Florida Department of Transportation Gateway Beautification project was underway in Century on Highway 29 at the Alabama/Florida state line.
Florida Forest Services teamed up with the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Century to provide free fruit trees to needy families during an Arbor Day event.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown was injured in a motorcycle crash in Ensley.
MLK Day parade in Atmore.
Cantonment MLK Day parade.
A jeep and gasoline tanker collided in Cantonment.
Storms knocked out power to large area in late January.
Peighton Dortch was crowned Miss NHS 2016 at Northview High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Customer Hearings Planned In Gulf Power Rate Increase Case
December 26, 2016
With state regulators weighing a Gulf Power proposal to raise base electric rates by $106.8 million, the Northwest Florida utility’s customers will be able to weigh in next month.
The state Public Service Commission has scheduled customer hearings January 26 at Pensacola State College and January 27 at Florida State University’s Panama City Campus, according to a notice posted on the commission’s website.
The hearings are part of a months-long process that will lead to a decision by the commission on the proposed rate hike. The commission is scheduled March 20 to start a multi-day hearing that will include detailed financial and technical information related to the request.
Also this week, the retailer Walmart filed a petition to formally intervene in the case. “Walmart is … a major retail customer of Gulf Power, purchasing electricity from Gulf to operate its stores and distribution facilities in Northwest Florida,” the petition said. “As one of Gulf’s largest retail customers, Walmart’s substantial interests will be determined by the commission’s actions in these dockets, and accordingly, Walmart is entitled to intervene in these … proceedings.”
The January 26 meeting at Pensacola State College will begin at 6 p.m. in the Hagler Auditorium (located at the corner of Underwood Avenue and North 9th Avenue).
The purpose of these service hearings is to take testimony from the public on the quality and adequacy of Gulf Power’s service and other matters related to Gulf Power’s petition for a rate increase. The procedure at these hearings shall be as follows: The coompany will present a brief summary of its case and then members of the public may present testimony. Members of the public who wish to present testimony are urged to appear promptly at each scheduled hearing time since the hearing may be adjourned early if no witnesses are present to testify. All witnesses shall be subject to cross examination at the conclusion of their testimony.
by The News Service of Florida
Century Council Shuffles January Meetings
December 26, 2016
The Century Town Council has made meeting day or location changes to both of their regular meetings in January.
The council’s first meeting of January has been moved from the town hall to the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 at 7 p.m. on January 2. The venue change was made to allow an expected larger than normal crowd to attend the meeting for the swearing in of Henry Hawkins as mayor.
The second town council meeting of January has been moved from January 16 to Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m. at the Century Town Hall. The meeting was rescheduled due to the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
Report Contends Florida Could Save $2 Billion With Simple Changes
December 26, 2016
More than $2 billion could be saved each year if the state would spend taxpayer money more prudently, according to a report from the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force.
The 15-member panel, created by a 2006 constitutional amendment, outlined some of its recommendations during a news conference in Tallahassee. The recommendations will go to Gov. Rick Scott and lawmakers, who will draw up a new budget in the coming months.
The recommendations include calling for changes in the corrections and criminal-justice system, such as releasing non-violent elderly inmates earlier, giving judges more flexibility in sentencing decisions and increasing access to work-release programs.
“We’re trying to say, ‘Look, let’s make sure that the sentence fits the crime and that it will actually be beneficial to the victims,” said Florida TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro, a member of the task force. “We’ve discovered that a lot of our prisons are nothing short of crime colleges.”
The task force also recommended moves such as consolidating state agencies into fewer physical locations, while sharing things such as vehicles between departments. The group also recommended requiring new public employees to join a 401(k)-style retirement plan like at many private companies, rather than enrolling in the traditional state pension system.
by The News Service of Florida
Waterfront Rescue Serves 68th Annual Christmas Banquet
December 26, 2016
The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Pensacola served hundreds of meals Christmas Day to those in need and those just looking for a little fellowship. About 160 volunteers worked to serve the meals at the mission or deliver the traditional holiday meals. Sunday’s event was the 68th Annual Christmas Banquet at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McMullen Named Escambia County Employee Of The Year
December 26, 2016
Rebecca McMullen has been selected as the 2016 Employee of the Year for the standards of excellence she displays in her job duties for the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners.
She was chosen by County Administrator Jack Brown from a pool that included all of the year’s Employee of the Month winners. McMullen, who works as a senior budget analyst in the office of management and budget, was recognized at a recent county commission meeting.
Within OMB, McMullen prepares annual revenue forecasts, evaluates the status of various county funds, and manages the county Municipal Services Benefit Unit, or MSBU program.
Often thought of as the county’s “MSBU expert,” she is always ready to answer residents’ questions relating to street lighting, construction, holding ponds, nuisance abatement and Fire MSBUs.
McMullen has been an employee with Escambia County since 1998. She first worked as an accountant, then as a budget analyst before being promoted to senior budget analyst.
Tate Grad Long Named To FCS All-American Team
December 26, 2016
Tate High School 2013 graduate Lorenzo Long was named third team FCS All-America by the Associated Press. Long currently plays for the Wofford Terriers.
Long, a senior, started all 14 games at fullback. He led the Terrers and the Southern Conference with 1,424 rushing yards, while also leading the league in rushing touchdowns with 18. He ended his career with 3,479 rushing yards to rank fifth in school history and his 43 career rushing touchdowns are third in school history.
Long was named second team All-America by STATS and third team All-America by both the Associated Press and College Sports Madness. He also earned first team All-Southern Conference honors.
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2016
Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.
It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament in the Bible, the widest circulated publication in history. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.