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Free clinics help fill Florida's widening health care gap

Free clinics help fill Florida's widening health care gap

The Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics said there has been a steady increase of patients coming to free clinics over the last two years. The clinics rely heavily on volunteers and community partnerships. And more are coming online to meet the wave of need. [Source: FOX 13]

Doctors with multiple malpractice settlements face little discipline in Florida

Doctors’ groups say a string of medical-malpractice settlements isn’t evidence of negligence and that insurers often pay to avoid litigation. On the other hand, plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that this type of lawsuit is so expensive to mount that even most legitimate complaints are turned away. Full story here.

Nelson helps lead bipartisan effort to reform health care

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Maine Republican Susan Collins have been talking to each other about ways of finding a breakthrough on health care reform, an issue that has deeply divided Congress along party lines. [Source: Health News Florida]

Opinion: Health insurers' Rx denial hurts Florida businesses

Business owners invest in quality health insurance because they want happy, healthy employees, who can show up on time and put in a productive day’s work. When insurance companies constantly look for ways to deny employees essential treatments, they undermine business investment and impede economic growth. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida health care admin charged in $1B Medicare fraud case

A Florida health care administrator accepted bribes in exchange for helping a nursing home owner accused of orchestrating a $1 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme keep his license, federal prosecutors said. [Source: AP]

Florida’s Health Plans: In the Business of a Healthy Florida | Join the Florida Association of Health Plans Sept. 13-15, 2017, in Orlando for its annual conference and learn how health plans are improving health outcomes through smart business strategies and delivering affordable, quality health care to all Floridians. Register at FAHP.net  [Advertisement]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› UCF gets permission to build teaching hospital
The University of Central Florida's College of Medicine has received permission to build a new teaching hospital. UCF is partnering with HCA Healthcare to construct the 100-bed hospital next to the school's College of Medicine in the Lake Nona neighborhood of Orlando.

› Okaloosa health department wins national award for HIV prevention best practices
The National Association of County and City Officials, or NACCHO, gave Okaloosa County health officials the 2017 Model Practice Award. It’s for developing programs that demonstrate best practices in response to a critical local public health need. Also read more at Health News Florida.

› Miami Dolphins enters partnership with University of Miami Health System
The Miami Dolphins and UHealth – the University of Miami Health System announced a partnership that will see the local health system serve as the official health care provider of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium.

› Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association receives national award in Washington D.C.
Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association received the Trailblazer Award from National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at its annual Council of States meeting held in Washington, D.C. on July 19.

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