Photo: Octavio Jones/Tampa Bay Times
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Florida Trend Health Care
New proposal to combat doctor shortage amid opioid crisis
New proposal to combat doctor shortage amid opioid crisis
Sen. Bill Nelson is looking for a new weapon to fight the opioid epidemic. His answer: More doctors. Nelson (D - FL) introduced the "Opioid Workforce Act," which would create 1,000 new Medicare-supported positions at hospitals throughout the country. The new doctors would be trained on addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry or pain management. More from WTSP and Forbes.
Florida’s trauma drama continues as new law challenged
Part of a new Florida law touted as a way to end years of disputes over trauma centers is being challenged by a Miami-based hospital. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital filed a challenge seeking an injunction to block a section of the law that would allow a competitor to operate what is known as a Level I trauma center. [Source: Daily Business Review]
Florida vets get VA-funded private-sector care through program set to run out of money
Populous states with large veteran populations such as Florida notched the highest numbers of veterans who have used the so-called Choice program since it was created in 2014 after veterans died waiting for medical care . [Source: USA Today]
Florida Senate campaign highlights on health care
A Central Florida event attended by both democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and Republican Gov. Rick Scott highlighted the debate over affordable health care. Nelson and his challenger Scott both received awards at the Puerto Rican Summit, illustrating the intense political battle for votes among many island residents forced out by Hurricane Maria. [Source: WESH]
Report says changes will increase health premiums in Florida
Premiums for health insurance plans sold on the federal marketplace are expected to increase by nearly 16.9 percent in Florida next year due to changes in the Affordable Care Act, according to a new analysis released Friday. More from Florida Politics and WGCU.
› Baptist Health seeks help from taxpayers keeping Middle Keys hospital going
Fishermen’s Community Hospital in Marathon has been operating as a field hospital since Hurricane Maria. Now the hospital’s nonprofit owner is seeking some help from Middle Keys taxpayers to keep it going.
› Florida hospital slashes painkiller use by 36% after revamped emergency protocol
Bradenton-based Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center are no longer using opioids as a first line of defense in the emergency department, resulting in a significant decrease in opioid use.
› Lee Health launching a Medicaid insurance program for Southwest Florida
Lee Health, the largest hospital operator in Southwest Florida, has tentatively won a five-year contract to offer a Medicaid managed care plan for low-income residents living in Lee and the surrounding seven counties.
› All Children’s Hospital now under federal review
The federal government has opened an investigation of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, days after a state agency cited the hospital for not reporting two serious medical errors.
Previous Health Care Updates:
- Florida hospitals: Building boom
- Abortion proposal on Florida's November ballot might not end legal fights about the issue
- More leprosy cases are popping up in Florida. Why an ancient disease might be endemic
- Thousands of Florida kids lost Medicaid, now some have no coverage
- Stuck in licensing limbo, Florida nursing students want answers. They're not getting them
- How a nationwide cyberattack is impacting Florida patients and hospitals
- The computer will see you now: Artificial Intelligence usage grows at Florida hospitals
- Measles is a 'heat-seeking missile' experts warn as Florida outbreak grows
- Florida's Medicaid enrollment numbers dip below 4.8 million in January
