One of the biggest loss leaders in Florida's deteriorating budget is Medicaid, but, as of now, lawmakers are reluctant to pursue reforms that could save the state billions of dollars.

Florida's nurse practitioners say they could save the state $1 billion and create new jobs if they were allowed to practice as they do elsewhere.

A bill that could spare emergency room doctors and other emergency medical care providers from healthcare lawsuits passed the Senate Health Regulation Committee in quick order Thursday.

Senate Bill 1474, sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, Chair of the Republican Party of Florida, passed 5-2.

While Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum challenges the legality of the new federal health-care law in the courts, the state's two leading health-care associations are split on the program's medical and fiscal impact.

Two Medicaid reform bills cleared a key legislative hurdle Monday, and a new research study gave them another push forward.

Building on pilot programs already under way in five Florida counties, the new bills would expand managed-care initiatives to Miami-Dade County next year and implement a statewide program over five years.

"Reform has increased competition among health plans, reduced co-pays and expanded and diversified patient benefits," according to Michael Bond, a senior fellow at the James Madison Institute in Tallahassee.

Touting his Cover Florida health program during his debate with Marco Rubio on "Fox News Sunday," Gov. Charlie Crist boldly declared:

"We negotiated with the private sector. We reduced the cost to those who were uninsured. We were able to provide access. And, the average cost for health insurance in Florida went from about $600 a month for an individual to about $150 a month. No tax dollars involved. No government mandates.