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House Panel Takes Testimony On Controlling Health Costs

Walleigh via wikimedia commons

Healthcare costs remain front of mind for the state Legislature, and a new House panel is looking for ways to reduce how much Floridians spend. 

After sinking last year’s session, Medicaid expansion is off the table.  But that doesn’t mean lawmakers aren’t concerned about the rising cost of care.  Author and doctor Marty Makary believes tracking and reporting on performance is key to lowering costs.  He says imagine you’re a surgeon who has more complications than your peers.

“The health department is aware of it, and your national society is aware of it, maybe your CEO is aware of the data,” Makary says.  “No one needs to go to jail, or get fined, or lose their license—we don’t need to do anything draconian.  That person, I submit to you, will radically change their behavior and that’s what we’re watching.”

State officials, in particular the Governor, argue greater transparency will keep the cost of healthcare under control.  But critics argue expanding access to primary care will make a bigger impact on the balance sheet.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.