Politics

Lori Berman brings back bill to cap the cost of breast exams for state employees

Published

3 weeks ago

January 11, 2025

Tens of thousands of women in Florida receive breast cancer diagnoses every year. And that doesn’t include those who are unaware they have the disease because testing for it was too costly.

Boynton Beach Sen. Lori Berman wants to eliminate such cases among state employees.

She filed legislation this week (SB 158) to expand coverage for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, without cost-sharing, for women enrolled in Florida’s state group insurance program.

“It says if you go in for a mammogram and you need to have a supplemental exam, like an MRI or an ultrasound, that they can only charge you the same copay they charged you for the mammogram,” Berman, a breast cancer survivor, told Florida Politics.

“Right now, we encourage people to get mammograms by keeping their copays at a low or nonexistent number. But then when they’re told, ‘OK, now you need to go to the next step,’ they’re all of a sudden faced with a big charge. A lot of the time they don’t follow through. And because of that, they don’t get diagnosed early, if at all, which can lead to fatal results.”

In 2024 alone, an estimated 23,160 patients in Florida were diagnosed with breast cancer and 3,160 died from it, according to the American Cancer Association.

A study by the nonprofit Susan G. Komen foundation commissioned found that out-of-pocket costs for patients ranged from $234 for a diagnostic mammogram to more than $1,000 for a breast MRI. About 12% of women screened with modern digital mammography require follow-up imaging or biopsy. But alarmingly, the Komen study revealed that 1 in 5 patients are likely to forgo recommended follow-up imaging if they have to pay a deductible.

Susan Harbin, senior government relations director for the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, said patients have a more than 90% survival rate when they’re diagnosed early and the cancer is still localized.

“A lot of times patients encounter these out-of-pocket costs that are a barrier to treatment, and we know that an even three-month delay in treatment can lead to a later-stage diagnosis,” she said during talks on the issue last year.

Many state governments have taken steps to lower the cost barrier. By July 10, 2024, Komen said more than 20 states in the U.S. had enacted legislation to cap or eliminate cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.

Berman carried a similar proposal during the 2024 Legislative Session. It passed unanimously in the Senate, but its House companion — sponsored by Hollywood Rep. Marie Woodson, a fellow Democrat — died in its last committee stop.

“I’m very hopeful that this year it will pass,” Berman said. “We want people to be able to get diagnosed, and this bill sets it up so that they will not have to pay an exorbitant amount for these supplemental examinations.”

The 2025 Legislative Session commences March 4 and runs through May 2.

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Politics

Scott Franklin to head House Environment Subcommittee

Published

28 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

Another Florida lawmaker will have a gavel for one of the U.S. House science subcommittees

U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, a Lakeland Republican, will chair the House Environment Subcommittee.

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chair Brian Babin, a Texas Republican, picked the Florida lawmaker for his expertise in the fields and the role the subcommittee would play on policy affecting the Sunshine State.

“I’m excited about our SST Committee assignments for this Congress,” Babin said. “The valuable expertise and diverse backgrounds that each member brings will be instrumental in strengthening U.S. leadership and competitiveness in science, space, and technology. We have a full agenda ahead that will prioritize advancing critical scientific research, fostering technological innovation, leading the world in space exploration, addressing regulatory burdens across industries, and more. Through our shared efforts, I am confident we can achieve our objectives and drive meaningful progress in our scientific endeavors. Let’s get to work!”

Franklin said he was enthusiastic about the assignment.

“I’m eager to tackle environmental research related to weather forecasting and ensuring disaster readiness,” Franklin said. “I thank Chairman Babin for this opportunity and look forward to advancing America First policy priorities to remain at the forefront of innovation and boost job growth.”

Babin praised Franklin’s conservative record on business issues.

“I’m confident Congressman Franklin will provide strong leadership for our Environment Subcommittee this Congress,” Babin said. “He has been a steadfast advocate against burdensome government regulations that stifle innovation and fail to address states’ needs. His perspective will be critical as we consider key weather legislation in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him to advance commonsense environmental policies and legislation.”

The same day, Babin assigned Rep. Mike Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach Republican, to head the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommitee.

“Since the earliest days of our space program, Florida’s Space Coast has been the launchpad for America’s journey to the stars,” Haridopolos said. “From the Apollo missions that first carried Americans to the Moon to today’s groundbreaking private sector launches, our skies have always been at the forefront of space exploration. Space is central to our district’s identity and economy, providing countless high-paying jobs and opportunities.”

He praised Haridopolos’ knowledge of the Space Program.

“Over the past several years, the SST Committee has diligently worked to support and advance our nation’s space endeavors,” Babin said. “As the representative of Florida’s Space Coast, the Congressman brings valuable expertise and leadership that will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to keep America at the forefront of exploration and development. I am excited to work alongside him to propel our space agenda forward.”

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Politics

Disney plans to convert Star Wars hotel into Imagineers’ offices

Published

59 minutes ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

It’s going to be an office far, far, away.

Disney World is converting the shuttered Star Wars hotel into office space for the famous Imagineers who will be designing new lands and projects at the theme parks.

The hotel’s update was reported by The Wrap and confirmed by other media outlets.

Disney closed the hotel September 2023 less than two years after it opened. The company had said it took a $300 million tax write off for shutting down the hotel after it reportedly had low occupancy.

At the hotel near Hollywood Studios, guests who were willing to pay nearly $5,000 for a two-night stay could pretend to be in their own Star Wars story at the hotel. Lightsabers included.

“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms,” Disney said in a statement when it announced it was closing.

Why did it fail?

YouTuber Jenny Nicholson explained the list of reasons in a four-hour video called “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” which captured 11 million views. The cost, the marketing, and not fully embracing the cosplay concept all likely hurt the hotel, she said.

The Wrap reported Disney had been considering using the empty hotel for a dinner theater-type experience but Disney ultimately settled on keeping the space closed to the public.

The Imagineers’ new office space comes as Disney World is starting a major expansion across several of its Orlando theme parks. Disney plans to build a Villains land and add “Cars” attractions at the Magic Kingdom as well as “Encanto” and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and “A Monsters, Inc.” land at Hollywood Studios. Disney is closing several longtime attractions in the process.

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Politics

Holland & Knight launches National Security & Defense Industry Group

Published

3 hours ago

January 31, 2025

May Greene

D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic will lead the 100-person team.

Holland & Knight is launching a National Security & Defense Industry Group led by D.C.-based partner Jason Klitenic.

The multinational law firm headquartered in Tampa said it’s taking on the new endeavor due to clients’ increasing demands amidst a complex national security landscape and rising global defense investments.

H&K expects the new practice will benefit from its already-established expertise in the defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and technology sectors. The 100-person team of practitioners led by Klitenic will cater to security and defense clients based the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

“To confront emerging global threats, our clients are continuing to create and fund the development of innovative defense solutions that support the U.S. and its allies around the world,” Klitenic said. “… Our team’s deep government connections in the U.S. and abroad, coupled with our firm’s established reputation for collaborating with government policymakers and operators on meaningful issues, enables us to advise clients on the full spectrum of legal, political and operational issues in this space.”

Klitenic’s background includes serving as General Counsel to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The Industry Group will also include former U.S. Intelligence Community members, high-ranking law enforcement officials and military veterans — Holland & Knight said the team’s diverse expertise will allow it to effectively navigate the intricacies of the national security landscape.

“In the many years that we have represented companies in the national defense and security sectors, we have built a substantial bench of premier practitioners across our geographic platform,” said Holland & Knight Chair and CEO Bob Grammig.

“We are excited to bring all of our global resources — comprising a unique mix of first-rate legal capabilities, a robust public policy and federal lobbying practice, and trusted relationships with U.S. government officials and foreign partners — under the umbrella of this new group. Together, this multidisciplinary team will continue to help our clients advance their strategic objectives.”

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