Rick Scott's ownership of Solantic health clinics running afoul of Florida ethics laws

[seafan]

A quick synopsis of a couple of main points in the article below:


1. In January, Rick Scott transferred his Solantic stock to his wife, in the form of 'Frances Annette Scott Revocable Trust'.

2. Two Florida ethics laws are posing a problem for Scott. One, he cannot work for or have a contract with any entity that does business with or is regulated by his government agency. And two, he cannot have a job or contract that will present a continuing/recurring conflict.

3. Of interest is one of the Palm Beach County Solantic urgent care clinics. It is operated as a joint venture with Tenet.
Jeb Bush is one of the Directors of Tenet.



Gov. Scott shifting clinics to his wife raises conflict of interest questions

By Stacey Singer
Palm Beach Post

March 12, 2011

.....

Scott's decisions as governor are likely to affect Solantic in other, perhaps more significant ways.

Scott's budget would curb growth in Medicaid spending, the state-federal safety net insurance program, by requiring most recipients to join private HMOs. Solantic accepts Medicaid HMO reimbursements, but not state Medicaid, so adding clients could broaden the clinics' customer base.

But the greatest benefit for Solantic could come from Scott and other Republican governors' lobbying efforts in Washington.

They want the Obama administration to give states waivers from the Affordable Care Act, and provide them with a massive block grant to expand health coverage in the way they deem best for their states. Money slated to go to business' health insurance tax credits and lower income consumers' insurance subsidies could pay for the grants - to the tune of billions.

.....

"You have a major owner-operator of a set of clinics on the state level, and a major policy figure on a state level, making major changes that affect whether that kind of business will thrive or not, what their competition will be, and really reforming the whole health sector," Rodwin said. "That's in my view a very dangerous role."

.....

So, now, it's up to the Florida Commission on Ethics to decide whether Rick Scott has a conflict of interest.

The Commission members serve two-year terms. Five members are appointed by the Governor, with no more than three from the same political party. One member appointed by the Governor must be a former city or county official. Two members are appointed by the President of the Senate and two members by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Neither the President nor the Speaker may appoint more than one member from the same political party. No member may hold any public employment or serve more than two full terms in succession.

Who here has a high degree of confidence that this commission will properly decide whether Rick Scott has a conflict of interest?

[seafan]

1. Didn't know Rick Scott was such a good dancer.

Still don't know the answer to how he sees his conflict of interest.


Dara Kam at the Palm Beach Post reports:


March 15th, 2011

.....

Asked what his response is to critics who say his changes are designed to benefit Solantic, the chain of urgent care clinics Scott recently transferred ownership of to his wife Ann, Scott stayed on message.

“Everything that I want to accomplish in health care in Florida is basically what I’ve believed all my life. I believe in the principle that if you have more competition, it will drive down the prices. If you give people more choices, it’s better for the consumer and also help drive down price. I believe that we should reward the person that takes care of themself, eats right, doesn’t smoke, exercises, things like that. All those things are the things that I believe in and that’s exactly what I’m going to do as governor,” Scott said.

So, Rick, what about the conflict of interest?


This criminal is set to steer Medicaid patients into HMOs, which are welcomed in his Solantic clinics. Sounds like a sweet money maker to me.


Florida Law is gonna come a'callin' for Rick Scott.

[dkofos]

2. They will just change the laws.

Or just fucking ignore them as usual.