Healthcare Digest 12 April: Fla. Reps Cut Workers Pay for Healthcare

What we’ve heard previously — generally from those not in favor of Obamacare — are stories of small businesses considering cuts to staffing hours, or hiring freezes, or decreases in pay either in order to comply with the Affordable Care Act or as a forced-to action because of the Affordable Care Act.

As it turns out, it’s not just small business considering these actions: “[Florida] House Republicans are shrinking a proposed pay raise for state workers — the first one they’ve had in seven years — to make room for future policy initiatives, such as a long-awaited health care plan that was unveiled Thursday.”

Florida Democrats (and a Republican representative named Mike Fasano, of New Port Richey) are criticizing the plan. “It doesn’t do any good for the public employees,” said Rep. Victor Torres, Jr., D-Orlando. “It takes away what you promised them.”

In defending the move, we get this complicated bit of rhetoric from Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven: “You know what I hear in this room right now? The union bosses. They’re saying, ‘It ain’t enough.’ Let’s remember who we are representing. The necessity of the citizens over the necessity of government. It’s fair, it’s reasonable, and I will hold my head high when I explain it to my constituents.”

Of course, those state workers who just had their raise sacrificed for a Republican plan are citizens as well as state workers. They’re also constituents. They also might not find it fair and reasonable.

Friday headlines:

Remember Who Brought You This Financial Advice if You Strike it Rich (Me. It was me.): “The prognosis for health care stocks is rosy. After riding a wave of uncertainty, health care company vital signals are now turning favorable. President Barack Obama’s re-election and the Supreme Court decision in June to uphold the Affordable Care Act could help to lift many subsectors in the $1.6 trillion health care industry, including biotechnology and medical devices.” [FoxBusiness.com]

A Bipartisan Healthcare Plan?: “A diverse coalition of healthcare groups released recommendations Thursday that it said could serve as a bipartisan framework for improving the U.S. healthcare system.” [TheHill.com]

The Power of Three, Only This Time with Corporations Rather Than Young Witches: “Harris Teeter, Carolinas HealthCare System’s International Medical Outreach (IMO) Program and Chiquita Brands are collaborating to promote sustainable, quality healthcare and education in underserved communities globally.” [InternationalSupermarketNews.com]

Tablets: Not Just for Angry Birds: “Tablets give physicians access to patient information wherever it’s needed, and they integrate with multiple healthcare solutions. Doctors can also use attachments to make the devices even more practical. The Samsung Galaxy Note’s S Pen, for example, allows doctors to create and edit work, take notes and create signatures.” [HealthTechZone.com]

Walgreens Could Make a Killing Under Obamacare: “With the Affordable Health Care Act approaching and retail pharmacies gearing up for the estimated 30 million new customers that will soon be able to receive health insurance benefits, Walgreen (WAG), the country’s second largest retail pharmacy, announced it has expand its Take Care Clinic healthcare services to include diagnosing and treating patients for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high cholesterol. What this move is basically doing is laying the foundation for Walgreen to be more than a retail pharmacy store, but also a primary care center, as the company’s Take Care Clinics move from acute care to chronic care, which account for roughly 75% of the healthcare dollars, and could be a big revenue maker for the company when the Affordable Care Act is implemented.” [SeekingAlpha.com]