Health Care: Florida should focus on lower prices and telehealth 

Influencer Chairman: Jeff Johnson.

Influencer Members: Debra Harvey, Victoria Kasdan, Ana Lopez-Blazquez, Jeff Welch

The Question: How should Florida’s elected leaders improve the health of Floridians, and increase access to care?

Summary of the broader survey findings:

The question asked of the 50 Influencers regarding health care was about vaping-related regulations. In Florida alone, 68 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses have been reported, and a state Department of Health report in the spring indicated that nearly one in four Florida high school students say they are vaping.

More than two-thirds of Florida Influencers agreed that the state should regulate or ban the use of e-cigarettes in one way or another. About half (47%) said the state should step in and ban e-cigarettes entirely. Those Influencers said it’s irresponsible to allow such products on the shelves until they are proven safe for consumption

Twenty-one percent of the Influencers said Florida should ban only flavored e-cigarettes. Those Influencers said it would help protect young people who are attracted to flavors like cotton candy, mango and sour candy.

Statement summarizing the views of the working group regarding the issue:

The pre-eminent issues for all parts of the health care system are cost, access and simplicity of navigation. These are complicated issues, but the Legislature can make progress by addressing them through better use of technology and creating a culture of informed health.

Potential solutions:

▪ Telehealth reimbursement parity as a way to expand access and reduce cost, including for mental health.

▪ Increase transparency and navigation at all points in the system so that consumer can make sound choices, including:

Coverage and payment options

Potential out of network surprise billing

Comparative costs for standard tests and services as well as drug prices

▪ Engage innovative resources to increase ability of consumers to understand and navigate the system to make informed choices about healthy behaviors with sensible regulation for vaping, vaccine exemptions, and other emerging public health issues.

▪ Continue to pursue all avenues to lower drug prices for consumers.

▪ Charge relevant state agencies to develop a comprehensive, metrics-based blueprint for defining healthy behaviors.

What questions will the governor and legislature need to answer to make progress on this issue?:

▪ What are you doing to ensure the right care, right cost, right setting that will align mutual incentives between doctor, insurers, providers and consumers?

▪ How are you encouraging the use of telehealth to enable healthcare delivery?