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Florida Trend Health Care
U.S. blocks health insurer Aetna's $34 billion Humana acquisition
U.S. blocks health insurer Aetna's $34 billion Humana acquisition
A federal court has blocked the $37 billion proposed merger between Aetna and Humana on antitrust grounds. The ruling also sets a precedent establishing Medicare Advantage as a separate market from traditional Medicare. In his ruling, Judge John Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the proposed deal would "substantially lessen competition" in the sale of Medicare Advantage plans in three Florida counties. See full story from Reuters, here. Also read more at Healthcare Finance News, the Washington Post, and U.S. News & World Report.
See also:
» Ruling in Aetna-Humana case leaves WellCare ripe for acquisition
Health laws don't affect doctors' rights to ask about guns
Tucked into the Affordable Care Act is a section that protects people from having to disclose information about guns they own to wellness programs and prohibits federal health law officials from collecting and keeping records about it. Full story from Kaiser Health News, here.
Florida DOH to present Immunization Summit
Health professionals will learn and share resources to promote vaccines for adolescents at the 2017 Florida annual Immunization Summit. The three-day summit focuses on best practices to promote adolescent immunizations and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases. [Source: Tampa Bay Newspapers] Also find out more about the 2017 Florida Immunization Summit, here.
PolitiFact Florida: Yes, Florida lags behind in mental health funding
Florida is near the bottom of the pack in mental health funding, and one key ranking cited by many experts places the state at 51st in per capita spending. However, there are some caveats about the ranking. More from the Times/Herald and PolitiFact Florida.
See also:
» Supportive services a must for mental health care
Healthcare sector is newest target for website accessibility lawsuits
The sharp rise of website accessibility litigation and demands that impacted retail, fast-food, financial organizations, banks and education sectors in 2015 and 2016 has expanded to target the healthcare industry, including: hospitals, clinics, health insurance as well as related providers such as drug stores and optical stores. [Source: Lexology]
› Florida congressman: Congress will not pull rug out on health care coverage
Whether or not congressional Republicans have a plan to replace Obamacare they are beginning to respond to voters concerns about lost coverage, and U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster has told his that “we do not intend to pull the rug out.”
› 2017 a busy year for health-care construction in Central Florida
Central Florida hospital systems have a full schedule of ground breakings and ribbon cuttings for facilities this year, ranging from new hospitals to free-standing emergency departments and medical office buildings.
› Shortage of nurses hurts Tallahassee area hospitals
As a leading industry, healthcare represents 12 percent of total jobs in the Tallahassee area yet retention continues to be a challenge.
› "Confusing" email warns of drug shortages in Florida
The Florida Department of Health is apologizing for a “confusing” email sent Friday that warned of possible prescription drug shortages in the state due to the recent suspension of a wholesale drug distributor.
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Previous Health Care Updates:
- Florida hospitals: Building boom
- Abortion proposal on Florida's November ballot might not end legal fights about the issue
- More leprosy cases are popping up in Florida. Why an ancient disease might be endemic
- Thousands of Florida kids lost Medicaid, now some have no coverage
- Stuck in licensing limbo, Florida nursing students want answers. They're not getting them
- How a nationwide cyberattack is impacting Florida patients and hospitals
- The computer will see you now: Artificial Intelligence usage grows at Florida hospitals
- Measles is a 'heat-seeking missile' experts warn as Florida outbreak grows
- Florida's Medicaid enrollment numbers dip below 4.8 million in January
