By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-985255.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida is looking at how its hospitals are funded. Lynn Hatter reports a special commission set up through an order by the governor is trying to figure out whether private hospitals do a better job at managing money and caring for patients.
The commission has to deliver a report to the legislature and the governor by the end of the year. That report could form the basis of future legislation. State Senator Joe Negron is on the commission. And he says it could also spur more conversations on privatizing some of the state's public hospitals.
"There are all kinds of different ways to do this, but I agree with you, it's open for discussion especially on our taxing districts, how we want to continue them, the hospitals they manage, and whether they'd be better managed in the private sector and I don't think we know the answer to that."
This isn't Florida's only look at privatization It may also private some state prisons and could handover most of its Medicaid duties to private healthcare providers.