DeSantis signs budget that includes more than $1.16 billion for health care initiatives
With the clock ticking on Tuesday’s start of the fiscal year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the state's 2026-26 budget totaling $117 billion on Monday. The finalized spending plan includes more than $1.16 billion for health care initiatives that support mental health and addiction services, cancer research, maternal and child health, elder care, and veterans’ services. [Source: Health New Florida]
Florida is the first state to require that high school student-athletes get life-saving EKGs
A new Florida law taking effect Tuesday will mandate that all high school student-athletes take an electrocardiogram (EKG) before they can compete on school sports teams. The Second Chance Act is the first of its kind – Florida is the first and only state to require high school student-athletes to get at least one EKG. The test, which is painless and only takes a few minutes to complete, detects heart conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Column: Florida’s independent doctors jeopardized by recent Medicare cuts
Absent action, independent practices in Florida and across the country will close — or get swallowed up by huge hospital systems. Many doctors today simply can’t afford to remain independent. The costs associated with operating a practice are rising even as Medicare reimbursement is declining. Last year, medical practice costs grew 4.6%. They’re projected to grow another 3.5% this year. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Hurricane season is stressful, but Florida mental health experts are there to help
Florida is now well into the midst of hurricane season, and this time of year can be loaded with stress for residents trying to cope with threatening systems. The 2024 season alone saw three substantial hurricanes strike the Sunshine State in as many consecutive months. As with any hurricane season, just keeping an eye on the weather forecast can create mental health pressure for anyone in a storm’s potential path. More than 500 mental health contractors are available in Florida to help residents cope with anxieties during the season. [Source: Florida Politics]
DOJ announces health care fraud crackdown that nets 324 arrests, including 60 in Florida
Sixty people in Florida were among 324 charged nationwide in what the Justice Department is calling the nation’s largest coordinated takedown of health care schemes. Law enforcement at the state and federal level seized more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as prosecutors warned of a growing push by transnational criminal networks to exploit the U.S. health care system. [Source: AP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Dentists’ fear: With fluoride out of Florida water, cavities will be in
Florida is shutting off its fluoride tap by July 1, and dentists are warning of the repercussions, particularly among children and low-income residents. The state will become the second following Utah to stop public utilities from fluoridating water. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law banning the decades-old practice in May, pulling the plug on what he says amounts to forced medication.
› $50 million Mayo Clinic gift is 'about helping shape the future of health care innovation'
A Ponte Vedra Beach couple noted for their philanthropy have donated $50 million to the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange. The "landmark" gift from Gilchrist and Amy Berg will accelerate and streamline the business incubator's development of global health care solutions and "eliminate barriers to success," according to Mayo.
› Memorial Healthcare to launch $670 million hospital expansion
Memorial Healthcare System will move forward with a $670 million expansion of its flagship Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. The South Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the project on June 25. The two-phase project will encompass more than 400,000 square feet of new construction and nearly 50,000 square feet of renovations.
› Nurse funding nixed as Jacksonville University GROW initiative stunted by veto pen
For the second straight year, Gov. Ron DeSantis nixed money for Jacksonville University’s Graduate, Retain, and Optimize a Workforce (GROW) of Florida Nurses initiative. The Senate appropriations request from Clay Yarborough posited that this “forward-thinking workforce development initiative designed to expand and strengthen Florida’s nursing and health care workforce” would help address the “full-blown emergency” that would be created by future shortages of nurses.