Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Hospitals are turning to hurricane-hit Puerto Rico to recruit nurses

Hospitals are turning to hurricane-hit Puerto Rico to recruit nurses

Not only are experienced nurses retiring at a rapid clip, schools aren't graduating enough nurses to be able to replenish the workforce. Exacerbating the problem is the aging U.S. population, which is fueling demand for health care services. That has Florida Hospital looking everywhere it can for new workers. More from CNN Money and Becker's Hospital Review.

Florida lawmakers turn to opioid fight, but critics say more money needed

Already a statewide emergency claiming thousands of victims, Florida’s opioid crisis is now commanding the attention of elected officials calling for prescription limits, treatment dollars and sanctions on the pharmaceutical industry. [Source: Daytona Beach News Journal]

Flu slows down in Florida but far from over

The flu activity could be slowing down in Orlando — at least for the past week — according to local urgent care providers and family physicians. Small declines have also been reported around the state, but overall, flu activity remains higher than most previous seasons in Florida and nationwide. More from the Orlando Sentinel, Bloomberg, and the AP.

Advocates seeking better access to health care for veterans

A group of veterans and vets' advocates are asking the Legislature to move legislation that seeks to increase health care access to Florida’s veterans. The bill would create the Veterans Care Program within the Agency for Health Care Administration, which would work to get federal money to help find alternative health care options for veterans in the state. [Source: WJHG]

Generator rules await legislative action

With time ticking on this year’s session, it’s not clear if Gov. Rick Scott is going to convince the Florida Legislature to ratify a pair of rules requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have backup generators. More from WLRN and the Tampa Bay Times.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Legislature eyes plan for health care during hurricanes
During the next major storm, Florida may turn to university faculty and even students enrolled in health-care programs to help work with some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

› Florida house panel sides with doctors in fight over insurance claims
A bill that would restrict the ability of health insurers and HMOs to retroactively deny claims passed the House Appropriations Committee last week, scoring a victory for physicians.

› State denies Orlando Health's plans for pediatric heart transplant program
Orlando Health’s request to establish a pediatric heart transplant program at its children’s hospital has been denied, according to a new batch of decisions posted by the state’s regulating agency.

› Jupiter Medical Center seeks to nearly quadruple the size of its cancer center
The Jupiter Town Council on Tuesday will consider a proposal by the Jupiter Medical Center to nearly quadruple the size of its cancer treatment center. Jupiter Medical Center has received a $25 million donation for its cancer treatment center from an unidentified donor.