Proposal takes aim at hospital ‘certificates of need'
Proposal takes aim at hospital ‘certificates of need'
A Florida panel may be on the verge of ending the state's contentious certificate-of-need process for hospitals. Such a move could be a victory for Gov. Rick Scott and other Republicans who have been unable to win support for the deregulation of the hospital industry. The Constitution Revision Commission is expected Tuesday to consider a proposal that would ask Florida voters to tie new hospital growth to hospital-acquired infection rates. More from WJXT and Florida Politics.
See also:
» Constitution Revision Commission Proposal 54: Prohibition on limitations on health care facilities and services
» Editorial: The details of health care regulation don't belong in the Florida Constitution
Florida hospice patients increase as population ages
Florida has the second most hospice patients in the nation. Only California has more, while Texas ranks third, national health care data show. The number of people receiving hospice care in Florida has increased steadily for at least the past 14 years although there was a slight dip in patients one year about about a decade ago. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
New dean for UM’s medical school is a Haitian immigrant success story
From immigrant beginnings, Dr. Henri Ford has reached rarefied heights in American medicine. This week, Ford climbed another step in his professional career. He was named the new dean of the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. [Source: Miami Herald]
Why Florida families are moving to Colorado to help their ill children
Like early American pioneers, Richard and Carol Wygand felt the call to head west. It would be a risk. The Wygands moved from Wellington to Colorado so that Carol could qualify for Colorado’s caregiver CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program through the state’s Medicaid system. The program pays her to train and become the full-time caretaker of their 20 month-old son, who was born with Nemaline Myopathy and needs help to swallow and breathe. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Florida Gov. Scott signs bill to combat opioids crisis
Gov. Rick Scott has signed legislation limiting most painkiller prescriptions to a three-day supply in response to the opioid crisis killing at least 16 Floridians every day. Scott signed the bill in Manatee County on Monday. The new prescription limits - which allow doctors to prescribe up to seven days in cases of acute pain - take effect July 1. See Gov. Scott's announcement here, read the legislation (HB 21 Controlled Substances) here. Also read more at the AP and Health News Florida.
› Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center receives maternity care recognition [WJHG]
Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center is one of about a thousand hospitals across the nation recognized by Florida Blue as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care. It's a program that evaluates hospitals on quality measures for delivery.
› Health clinics set sights on Jacksonville's underserved seniors [Health News Florida]
A trio of health clinics for cash-strapped seniors is opening in Jacksonville this summer. The primary-care clinics are set to serve as many as 9,000 people.
› Polk County’s supply of health care providers below state, national averages [Lakeland Ledger]
It’s not unusual to have to wait for a doctor’s appointment in Polk County. The reason is simple, yet complex: there are far fewer physicians, dentists and other health care providers here than in more urban and wealthier parts of the state and nation.
› Bill ends HCA's bid for a trauma center In St. Petersburg [WUSF]
A bill approved by the Florida Legislature would end HCA’s bid to open a trauma center at Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg. Under the legislation, HCA will receive trauma center designations for two hospitals in Miami-Dade County and one in Clay County.