Project Health Policy and Health Promotion in Florida State

Health is an important aspect of every population because it determines the wellbeing and productivity of a given population. As a result, the federal government, state government, local governments, communities, and non-governmental organizations need to work together to ensure that a healthy population is achieved (JoeManchin, 2011). In Florida State, legislatures meet annually for six consecutive days. Regular sessions of legislation are expected to convene every first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year and on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in each even-numbered year. Besides, the legislation may convene as stated in Article III Section 2 of the constitution of Florida. The convention includes special meetings called by either governor or joint proclamation issued by house speaker or senate president. For a regular session to be extended, the motion should be supported by a three-fifths vote in each house. This paper, therefore, focuses on the health policy and health promotion in Florida state

Identify specific legislative District State Governor, areas of focus and interest State Senators, committees and appointments

In the United States, governors serve as chief executive officers of their specific states. And five commonwealths and territories. As state managers, governors are responsible for implementing and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch. Also, governors pursue and advance new and revised policy programs using tools like executive orders, legislative proposals and vetoes, and executive budgets (“2018-2020 Senate and Joint Committees”, 2019). As a result, governors carry out their leadership and management objectives and mandate with the assistance or support of the agency and department heads who have powers to appoint. Governors, therefore, enact state legislation regarding health policy and health promotion, confirm appointments in health departments, play a legislative oversight role in all health issues, and approve all state budgets including health allocations. Besides, the governors submit biennial and annual budgets for review and approval by the legislature. 

Florida State encompasses creating and implementing laws, regulations, and rules that manage healthcare systems. Healthcare systems involve services that medical professionals provide to diagnose, treat, and prevent physical illness, mental illness, and injury. Besides, other sectors that are included in the healthcare system include pharmaceuticals, health information technology, and insurance (JoeManchin, 2011). National Conference of State Legislators argues that collectively, 50 state legislators make thousands of policies annually excluding the decisions that are made by local governments that oversee the operations in private bodies like insurers and public bodies like hospitals (“2018-2020 Senate and Joint Committees”, 2019). The decisions made include the appropriation of budgets, requires that doctors must have to be registered or obtain a license, services that insurance services cover, immunizations that children should receive, and how to manage personal health information among other decisions.  

State Representatives (House), committees and appointments Federal Senators, committee and appointments

In the United States, governors are given the powers to make appointments which some require legislative confirmation. Also, the running of states requires legislative oversite (“Governors’ Powers & Authority – National Governors Association”, 2019). As a result, governors interact with their legislatures to ensure that their priorities, goals, and accomplishments are presented accurately and received during oversight hearings and other legislative activities that address and evaluate the executive branch’s implementation of legislative mandated services and programs.

The function of committees in Florida is or study and plan for solutions to issues and problems that Floridians face (“2018-2020 Senate and Joint Committees”, 2019). The House rules and senate provide for select committees, special select committees, sub-committees and standing committees. The name of all senate committees and chairs are named by the senate president. On the other hand, the house Speaker names all members and chairs of house committees (JoeManchin, 2011). The members of joint committees are appointed by the presiding officer. The select committees, on the other hand, are appointed to make recommendations on unique or special problems by their presiding officers in each house. 

Federal Congressman (House), committees and appointments State-Specific legislation involving legislators

Just like other states in the United States, the Florida governor has the powers and authority to nominate officials to serve in positions in the executive branch.   The majority of the nominees are included in the advisory committee of the governors commonly referred to as “cabinet.” In most cases, these appointments are subject to confirmation by both houses of the state legislature. Also, there exist boards and commissions appointed to spearhead the healthcare activities in the state (“Governors’ Powers & Authority – National Governors Association”, 2019). The governor names and appoints the board members which are again subject to confirmation by board members. Moreover, the governing has the power to carry out executive orders which are found in state statutes and constitutions as well as the case law as evident in the powers assigned to state executives. Governors use the executive powers bestowed in them to trigger emergency powers during natural disasters, create an advisory, coordinate study, or investigate commissions or committees and address the administrative and management issues. The state can, therefore, implement the four emergency management steps which include prepare, prevent, respond, and recover, when there is a crisis associated with health issues.

In conclusion, Healthcare policy affects the cost that citizens have to pay to receive care and the access to quality care that they receive which in turn affect their health generally. The major concern for policymakers is the surging cost of healthcare which has led to increased strain in disposable income of state budget and consumers (“2018-2020 Senate and Joint Committees”, 2019). Health information technology, expansion of Medicaid, uninsured and underinsured populations, patient information privacy, mental health care coverage and access and shortage of primary care physicians

References

2018-2020 Senate and Joint Committees. (2019). Retrieved 29 August 2019, from https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees

Governors’ Powers & Authority – National Governors Association. (2019). Retrieved 29 August 2019, from https://www.nga.org/consulting/powers-and-authority/JoeManchin. (2011, October 26). Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers Support Pill Mill Crackdown Legislation. Retrieved from https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-bicameral-group-of-lawmakers-support-pill-mill-crackdown-legislation