SHARE:
Florida Trend Health Care
Florida faces $70.4 million drop in Medicaid money for hospitals
Florida faces $70.4 million drop in Medicaid money for hospitals
As Florida lawmakers prepare to start the 2020 legislative session, the state is being confronted with a $70.4 million loss in the coming months in the amount of Medicaid money it gets to fund hospitals, train future physicians and treat people who are mentally ill. Amy Baker, who leads the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, is including the reduction — slated to take effect May 23 — in budget documents prepared for lawmakers as they begin working on a fiscal 2020-2021 spending plan. More from the Tampa Bay Times and Health News Florida.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Advancements in cancer research in Florida
One of the top 10 cancer hospitals in America, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa treats patients from all 50 states and more than 130 countries. But the institution is running out of room, which is impacting its ability to serve patients, conduct research and attract top-notch scientists. Moffitt is asking the Florida Legislature this year to increase its share of state cigarette tax money from 4% to 10%. [Source: Florida Trend]
Transgender employees sue Florida over state's trans health care ban
Two transgender women filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida on Monday over its ban on transgender-related health care for state workers, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Jami Claire.ACLU Foundation of Florida The suit, which was brought by Southern Legal Counsel, the ACLU of Florida and Eric Lindstrom, an attorney, seeks to end Florida’s State Plan Exclusion, a rule that prohibits state employer-provided health plans from covering “gender reassignment or modification services or supplies.” [Source: NBC News]
Miami’s first major health-tech startup of the century has just been sold
CareCloud, the first major Miami-based health IT startup to garner significant venture capital this century, has been sold. New Jersey-based MTBC, an electronic health-records group, announced the acquisition Friday. The terms include $17 million in cash and 760,000 in preferred Class A shares for a total valuation of at least $36 million. [Source: Miami Herald]
Legislature eyes further ‘CON’ changes
After eliminating certificates of need last year for hospitals, Florida lawmakers will consider making changes to the so-called CON law for new intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities. Certificate of need is a regulation that requires health care providers to prove to the state that there is a “need” for new facilities or services they want to offer. [Source: ]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida health officials continue to encourage flu vaccinations
The first week of flu season in Florida this year was a tough one. Health officials documented more cases than they saw during the 2017-2018 season, which was one of the worst on record. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that, nationwide, for the 2019-2020 season so far, there have been at least 6.4 million cases of influenza, more than 55,000 associated hospitalizations and approximately 2,900 related deaths.
› Orthopedic surgeon files whistle-blower lawsuit against Orlando Health, Physician Associates
An orthopedic surgeon has filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against Orlando Health and three of its subsidiaries, alleging that his superiors violated federal laws by requiring him to perform surgeries and make referrals within the Orlando Health network only and then fired him when he refused to comply.
› AdventHealth buys 103 acres in New Smyrna Beach
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach purchased nearly 103 acres of land last week on the northeast side of State Road 44 and Interstate-95, according to hospital officials. The land — which the hospital purchased Thursday for $16.5 million according to county records— is directly across from the AdventHealth Medical Plaza.
› USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute officially opens in downtown Tampa
The new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute, a world-class facility that will transform medical education delivery and generate millions of dollars in annual economic impact, officially opened today in downtown Tampa. USF students, faculty, staff and supporters celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, signifying the culmination of nearly five years of design and construction on the 13-story building that will help attract the best in education and research.
Previous Health Care Updates:
- A Florida health provider says better building design can help patients heal
- 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
