Is Medicaid at risk in Florida?
A coalition of Florida health advocates is sounding the alarm over a federal budget proposal that could make unprecedented cuts to Medicaid. A budget blueprint approved by the House this week is expected to cut billions in federal Medicaid spending as part of a plan to help renew and fund new and existing tax cuts. Based on the proposed budget, health advocates say there are few options to avoid Medicaid cuts. More from the Miami Herald and CBS.
Debate over fluoridating water systems cascades into Florida's legislative session
The Florida legislative session will begin Tuesday, and with it comes the ongoing debate about whether to have fluoride in the state's drinking water. It is one of the latest battles across the state after more than a dozen local governments have voted to stop adding fluoride to their water systems. Water systems have been fluoridating water for decades in a limited amount after it was shown to have a positive effect on dental health, especially for children. [Source: Health News Florida]
DeSantis’ push to shakeup cancer funding could be in trouble in the House
The DeSantis administration’s move to eliminate a dedicated funding source for four National Cancer Institute (NCI) facilities and open it up to other providers will face an uphill battle during the Legislature’s 2025 session. House Health Care Budget Subcommittee Chairman Alex Andrade told the Florida Phoenix he supports keeping the money flowing to Moffitt Cancer Center; University of Florida Health Cancer Center; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
There have been 7 norovirus outbreaks on Florida cruises this year – two on the same ship
For the second time in 2025, the Holland America Line cruise ship, Eurodam, has reported a norovirus outbreak. A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nearly 150 of the 2,000 passengers reported being ill upon returning to Port Everglades on Saturday. According to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), it’s the ninth voyage that has departed from or docked in Florida this year that resulted in an outbreak. [Source: Health News Florida]
FGCU nurses are best in class statewide. All passed national exam
Nurse graduates at Florida Gulf Coast University stood out within the state university system with a 100% pass rate on a national exam demonstrating competency. FGCU is the only state university of nine that had a 100% pass rate among registered nurse graduates taking the NCLEX exam in 2024 for the first time. It is the standardized national exam that nurse graduates must pass. [Source: Fort Myers News Press]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Steinbrenner family makes $5 million donation to Tampa children’s hospital
The Steinbrenner family, the owners of the New York Yankees, are donating $5 million to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa. Members of the family and hospital officials will be at George M. Steinbrenner Field today for a ceremony to mark the donation before the Yankees' spring training game against Toronto. BayCare, which runs the hospital, plans to use the money to expand emergency services, add treatment rooms and redesign the hospital entrance and lobby.
› See how a Miami tattoo studio mixes medicine and ink
Miami is a destination for patients seeking cancer treatment, organ transplants and Brazilian butt lifts. Dom Groenveld also traveled six hours from Michigan to be put under anesthesia in the 305. It can take nearly 50 hours, spaced out across eight six-hour sessions over the period of a year, to complete a detailed back tattoo. But under anesthesia, with a team of five tattoo artists working together, it only took Groenveld seven hours total to get inked.
› BayCare's new behavioral health center in Pasco is the first-of-its-kind urgent care in Florida
If you're dealing with a mental health or addiction issue, you have a new place to get help in Pasco County. BayCare Behavioral Health opened a new urgent care center in New Port Richey. The grand opening comes a little over a year after the Pasco County Commission gave BayCare almost $3.6 million for the project.
› Health First, Parrish recruiting staff of soon-to-close Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital
Two Brevard County hospital companies are recruiting employees who now work at Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital, which is scheduled to close on April 22. Both Health First and Parrish Healthcare are holding recruitment events this week, with the hope of hiring current staff of Rockledge Hospital. Orlando Health said 940 employees of the 298-bed hospital will be affected by the closing.