Florida's worst nursing homes could receive fewer inspections

| 2/18/2020

Florida’s worst nursing homes could receive fewer inspections

Two bills making their way through the Florida Legislature would cut back oversight by the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration, meaning fewer inspections for the worst nursing homes. The two bills — Senate Bill 1726 and House Bill 731 — have received little pushback in Florida’s regulation-averse Legislature. But critics of the legislation worry about the ramifications of cutting back on AHCA’s mandates. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Health News Florida.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Lung transplant technology collaboration between Mayo Clinic Florida and United Therapeutics

Mayo Clinic Florida expects to have three ex-vivo lung perfusion systems installed and operating by the end of first quarter 2020. The systems keep lungs viable while physicians evaluate their suitability for transplantation. [Source: Florida Trend]

Infant deaths increase as flu season peaks across Florida

Two infants in Florida have died from the flu in recent weeks, according to the latest weekly report from the Florida Department of Health. The report for Jan. 26-Feb. 1 shows an increase in flu activity statewide, with 35 outbreaks. In Northeast Florida, activity remains mild to moderate in most counties. The Florida Department of Health reports seven pediatric flu deaths so far this season. Most recently, two infants died -- one was not vaccinated and the other child was too young to get the flu shot. [Source: WJXT ]

Opinion: Facing physician shortage, it’s time to untie hands of advanced practice registered nurses

Florida led the country in meaningful health care reform in 2019 with repeal of the state’s anachronistic and harmful certificate-of-need law. Now our state policymakers can once again be champions for health care innovation. In December, the House and Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee advanced House Bill 607, which would allow advanced practice registered nurses to make the best use of the full scope of their medical training. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel ]

Florida veterans can get VA health care from home

Thousands of veterans are getting VA health care from the comfort of their homes. VISN 8, a network within the Department of Veterans Affairs that represents Florida, South Georgia and the Caribbean, recently opened a virtual care center. The Clinical Contact Center is open 24/7 and is the first of its kind in the VA. [Source: WGCU]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Oliva backs THC cap for medical marijuana [WUSF]
House Speaker Jose Oliva said Thursday he would like to pass legislation that would cap the allowable amount of euphoria-inducing THC in medical marijuana products, calling it a priority for his chamber. Oliva’s remarks came midway through the 2020 legislative session. No bill has been filed in the House or Senate that would cap the amount of THC, although the House has considered the issue in the past.

› University of Florida to professors: Stop ordering sick students to be tested for Coronavirus [Health News Florida]
Florida’s flagship university is warning its professors to stop requiring students who may be visibly sick to leave class and be tested for the new coronavirus. The orders from the University of Florida reflect rising anxieties about the illness on a campus with more than 6,000 international students amid the virus’s rapid global spread – even though there have been no reported cases in Florida.

› Florida’s Baker Act under new scrutiny after 6-year-old committed to mental health facility [CBS Miami]
A Florida law is under new scrutiny after a 6-year-old girl was involuntarily committed to a mental health facility following an incident at school. Some are now questioning the wisdom of the Baker Act, which allows authorities to force a psychiatric evaluation on anyone considered to be a danger to themselves or others, including kids.

› Florida doctor allegedly took $26 million from insurers with phony medical procedures [WFTS]
Federal prosecutors charged a Florida doctor for allegedly taking $26 million from Medicaid, Medicare and other health insurance for phony health procedures. Dr. Moses D. Degraft-Johnson pleaded not guilty to several criminal counts filed by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on Thursday, including health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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