OFM_Dept_Govt_Ron_DeSantis_0219_DEPT 1 / 23 / 19 11 : 47 AM Page 6 He’s also called for more trans - “ I would like to have him stop the consolidation parency in health care pricing . that is happening in our health care market , ” she Marni Jameson Carey , executive says . “ All the mergers are driving health care prices ? director of the Association of Indepen - way , way up . ” Health care is the only dent Doctors , which is headquartered Alker agrees transparency in health care is a in Winter Park , says she’s glad to hear good thing but she doesn’t think it will solve much industry where you the governor is aware of a of the state’s health care issues . problem that go in and purchase a “ There’s an extraordinary amount of complexity her organization has been fighting since in the health care system , ” she says . “ The prices its inception . service and don’t know vary depend on who’s paying them . And when “ Health care is the only industry what it’s going to you’re hit by a bus , you’re not looking at the prices . ” where you go in and purchase a service More productive , she thinks , would be for the and don’t know what it’s going to cost cost you in the end . ” governor to look at drug pricing . And because of you in the end , ” she says . “ And the Florida’s high uninsured population , she industry likes it that way because they says the MARNI JAMESON CAREY , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR get to charge more . ” state should accept federal Medicaid expansion OF THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT DOCTORS Former Gov . Scott was a champion dollars . Alker was the principal investigator of a of price transparency in health care as multi - year study on Florida’s Medicaid program . well . During his term , he pushed the “ I think it would be a cost saver for Florida , ” state legislature to allocate money for a website that she says . Georgetown University , says the rising number of would allow people to compare prices for proce - It’s unlikely DeSantis will take up the issue uninsured residents is a problem for everyone , not dures at different facilities . with the Florida Legislature . Not only has he just those who lack protection . “ This is not something the hospital association expressed opposition to the idea , but he has also “ Having a large number of uninsured people or the insurers are going to give up easily , ” Jameson selected Mary Mayhew , a former health commis - … puts the load on the health care system because Carey says . “ They’re going to fight tooth and nail , sioner from Maine who has been critical of Medi - there are uncompensated health care costs that get which is exactly what we expect and exactly what caid expansion , to head Florida’s health care agency . shifted to everybody including most employer - is happening . ” So as DeSantis navigates his new journey sponsored health insurance , ” she says . Beyond price transparency , leading the state , Floridians will be closely watching To combat this problem , DeSantis has said Jameson Carey his actions to see if he not only sticks to his cam - he’d like to see more choices offered in the health would like to see DeSantis look into stopping the paign promises , but just as importantly , to make insurance field , so that people can buy plans that are monopolies that are being created as health care sure he also delivers the goods . less traditional which may fit their needs better . providers merge . ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM september 2018 ORLANDO FAMILY xx ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM february 2019 ORLANDO FAMILY 17