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POLICY & ISSUE BRIEFS |
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Transportation Issue BriefFlorida’s Volunteers: The Driving Force for Senior Mobility—Identifying Barriers and Enabling ChangeFlorida volunteers play a key role in helping provide affordable transportation alternatives for the state’s growing number of older adults, but conflicting Florida statutes and the resulting lack of liability protection can discourage potential volunteers, according to a new issue brief released today by the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF). The new publication, Florida’s Volunteers: The Driving Force for Senior Mobility—Identifying Barriers and Enabling Change, was produced by WPHF in an effort to educate consumers, stakeholders and policy makers on the challenges involved in using volunteer drivers in Florida It is hoped that the release of this information will spark a thoughtful public discussion on ways to overcome existing obstacles, said Patricia Maddox, WPHF President. The brief is available as a PDF to be downloaded here. “The Foundation is well aware that mobility is the linchpin for success as it strives to create a community for a lifetime—where people of all ages are valued and supported,” Ms. Maddox said. That is why it has supported various transportation projects, including the development of the Independent Transportation Network project, ITNOrlando, an affordable transportation service for seniors and those visually-impaired that uses both paid and volunteer drivers, and community care teams, a faith-based all-volunteer program. And that is why the Foundation decided to produce the new issue brief. Other states are finding ways of dealing with the issue, and their approaches are covered in the brief. With the number of Floridians older than age 60 already exceeding four million, the brief notes, it is a good time to consider solutions that would help volunteer-dependent transportation programs succeed. |
Florida’s Volunteers: The Driving Force for Senior Mobility—Identifying Barriers and Enabling Change |
Medicaid Policy BriefsIn an effort to educate consumers, stakeholders and policy-makers on the issues involved in Medicaid reform now underway in Florida, the Foundation commissioned a series of policy briefs designed to shed light on the impact of various proposed changes. Part of a series called "Florida's Health at Risk," the briefs were authored by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. It was hoped that the release of the information would spark a thoughtful public discussion on the best ways to improve Medicaid funding. Other policy briefs are planned. The first brief is What Could a Waiver to Restructure Medicaid Mean for Florida?The brief, the first in a series commissioned by the Foundation, is offered in response to a request by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for input on how to improve the Medicaid program while reducing state spending. The request from AHCA indicates that Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is seeking the authority from the Florida Legislature to develop and submit a Medicaid reform waiver to the federal government. The 2004 state legislative session is due to end next week. By releasing the brief, which provides an overview of Medicaid funding and examines the potential impact of a waiver that results in a funding cap, the Foundation "hopes to provide information that will spark a thoughtful public discussion on the best ways to improve Medicaid funding," said Patricia Maddox, president of the Winter Park Health Foundation. The brief outlines the impact capped grant funding could have on the state. Florida's Medicaid program provides health care coverage and services to more than two million residents. "Major changes to Medicaid funding could affect us all," Ms. Maddox said. The Policy Brief, part of a series called "Florida's Health at Risk," was authored by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. Future briefs will focus on a variety of issues that impact the health of Florida's families. The Winter Park Health Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that funds research and programs improving the health of children and youth, the elderly and the uninsured. The second is Florida's Medicaid Budget: Why are Costs Going Up?The ins and outs of Florida Medicaid's rising costs are examined in the second brief commissioned by the Foundation to help educate consumers, stakeholders and policy-makers on the issues involved in Medicaid reform now underway in Florida. The brief is being released to help kick off the Medicaid Reform Symposium--The Future of Florida Medicaid--which will be held in Orlando July 12. The Symposium, co-hosted by the Foundation, has drawn 300 registered participants--a capacity crowd--from around the state. The overwhelming response underlines the strong public interest in the subject. Researched and written by Joan Alker, senior researcher with Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, the brief notes that: "In times of recession, Florida's Medicaid costs can be expected to increase. Over the past five years, Medicaid costs in Florida have increased, on average 12.5 percent. This rate of increase is likely to slow down. Our analysis shows that enrollment increases have accounted for, on average, 62 percent of Florida's Medicaid cost increases during this period. The remainder of the increase is due to growth in health care costs. When enrollment increases are accounted for, Medicaid has grown consistently at a much lower rate in recent years than health care costs in the private sector. In 2003, private insurance costs nationally increased by just under 14 percent, while Florida's per capita Medicaid cost increase was just under five percent. Florida's Medicaid budget can expect to see some relief from the recently enacted federal Medicare prescription drug benefit. While precise estimates are not yet available, the potential for savings is greatest for Florida since the state's share of spending on dual-eligibles that goes to prescription drugs is the highest in the country." The third is Issues to Consider in Governor Bush's "Florida Medicaid Modernization Proposal"The Winter Park Health Foundation introduced the third in its series of policy briefs focused on Florida Medicaid Reform in a live webcast on Friday, March 18, 2005. Featuring policy brief co-author Joan Alker, senior researcher with the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, the session was offered to provide policy-makers and others interested in health care change with research and useful information to consider as they review proposals related to reform of the Florida Medicaid program. The new brief examines Gov. Bush's proposal and emphasizes questions to be addressed before major changes take place. The fourth is Understanding Florida's Medicaid Reform LegislationThe Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF) has released the fourth in a series of policy briefs designed to help educate consumers, stakeholders and policy-makers on the issues involved in the comprehensive reform proposed for Florida's Medicaid program. Co-authored by Joan Alker, senior researcher with Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, and Lisa Portelli, program director for WPHF, the brief outlines the steps that will follow the Florida Legislature's passage of the Medicaid Reform Act in May. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed it into law in June. The brief takes a look at who is likely to be affected by the new law, what kind of benefits will be provided and explains the steps Florida needs to take to receive federal approval to implement the proposed changes. It points out a variety of questions and details that need additional feedback from all parties. Understanding Florida's Medicaid Reform Legislation also notes that “the Legislature incorporated many checks and balances to provide oversight as the proposal moves forward,” and the brief includes a chart that illustrates points in the process when the public will be able to provide input. Noting “the scope and unprecedented nature of the proposals, and the number of Florida residents who depend on Medicaid for vital medical services and long-term care,” the brief suggests that “it is critical that the public be aware of and capitalize” on the opportunities provided to give input. In releasing this brief and others on Medicaid reform, the WPHF hopes to provide information that will further thoughtful public discussion on Medicaid. The Winter Park Health Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that funds research and programs improving the health of children and youth, the elderly and the uninsured. The fifth is Understanding Florida's Medicaid Waiver ApplicationPreviewed in a webcast on September 21, the fifth policy brief examines Florida's Medicaid Waiver application made public on August 31. The author is Joan Alker, Senior Researcher for the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, who also authored the previous policy briefs. The new brief takes a look at the flexibility built into the proposed waiver application. It notes that “many adults—notably adults with disabilities—will be moved into reform plans where HMOs and other providers have unprecedented flexibility to determine the benefits they will receive.” It also notes that under the proposed waiver, “children's benefits remain the same: The proposal clarifies that most children are still assured of their current benefits. The waiver's overall budget reduction goals, however, may pose a risk to the adequacy of the premium to ensure that children receive the services they need.” The brief provides a timeline for the Florida Medicaid Waiver process and includes information on where people can submit comments. In releasing this brief and others on Medicaid reform, the WPHF hopes to provide information that will further thoughtful public discussion on Medicaid. The Winter Park Health Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that funds research and programs improving the health of children and youth, the elderly and the uninsured. |
1) What Could a Waiver to Restructure Medicaid Mean for Florida?
2) Florida's Medicaid Budget: Why are Costs Going Up?
3) Issues to Consider in Governor Bush's "Florida Medicaid Modernization Proposal"
4) Understanding Florida's Medicaid Reform Legislation Webcast Archive:
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