March 29, 2024
5 things to know about Florida's health care budget

Florida Trend Health Care

5 things to know about Florida's health care budget

| 5/4/2021

5 things to know about Florida’s health care budget

Pick a random dollar out of Florida’s $101.5 billion budget, and it’s got a strong chance of going to a health care program. That means Florida’s health care spending plan sheds a great deal of light on the priorities of state leaders. Who gets coverage under the state’s Medicaid program? Where are billions of federal dollars going? How is the state looking after its most vulnerable citizens? [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

DeSantis orders end of local COVID mandates, signs emergency bill that bans vaccine 'passports'

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed legislation that limits local government emergency orders related to COVID-19 and creates a permanent ban on vaccine "passports." He also signed an executive order that limits those local powers until the bill takes effect July 1. DeSantis, at a St. Petersburg restaurant for the signings, said that while the fight against COVID-19 continues, “we are no longer in a state of emergency.” [Source: Health News Florida]

Hospitals fight new state rules on transplants, pediatric cardiac services

Some of Florida’s largest health care systems and children’s hospitals are challenging two proposed state rules, alleging that facilities could get shut out of the market and quality of care could be harmed. Six challenges have been filed in the state Division of Administrative Hearings during the past two weeks. They challenge a proposed rule meant to regulate organ transplant programs and a proposed rule about pediatric cardiac services. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Medical marijuana legislation stalls as public employees are fired for legal use

Legislation to protect Florida public employees has stalled this session, leaving a disconnect between restrictive federal laws and permissive local laws. Democratic representatives proposed House Bill 335 to prohibit employers from taking action against qualified medical marijuana patients, was referred to four subcommittees in February and hasn’t been heard since. Under current laws, agencies that receive federal funding, such as school systems, default to national laws that don’t allow medical marijuana use. [Source: WUSF]

State sues feds over $97.57 million in Medicaid money

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has filed a lawsuit against the federal government in a dispute about $97.57 million in Medicaid payments, primarily involving Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The lawsuit, filed last week in federal court in South Florida, stems from a decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “disallowing” Medicaid reimbursements from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2013, according to the lawsuit. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida doctor raising money for those suffering in India
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to have devastating impacts on those living in India, with thousands dying each day, Florida internal medicine doctor and president of the Female Indian Physicians of Florida, Dr. Sheela Shah said she spends hours giving medical advice and talking to patients overseas as the situation worsens.

› Nursing shortage in South Florida has healthcare facilities scrambling to counter the talent drain
There is a nursing shortage in South Florida that is undeniably of crisis proportions. Health care providers, who are on the front lines of this life-endangering problem, said today that they are determined to reverse the staffing shortage. The South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association are teaming up with LifeWings Peak Performance and holding an urgently needed two-day virtual discussion on May 12-13.

› How two nurses cared for the tiniest babies before and during the pandemic
One baby was born before the pandemic but a lengthy stay led her to be in the hospital as COVID-19 took hold. Another was born to a mother who had contracted COVID. While babies are known to be at low risk of contracting COVID-19, the nurses who cared for the newborns navigated the frightening unknowns of the pandemic in its early stage as they allayed the families’ concerns and bonded with their most vulnerable patients.

› Memorial converting former Southside Soul Food Bistro into health center
Memorial Healthcare Group Inc. is renovating the closed Soul Food Bistro at southwest Kernan and Atlantic boulevards into a women’s health center. The building, at 11876 Atlantic Blvd., is next to a Memorial Emergency Center. The city issued a permit April 30 for Auld & White Constructors LLC to renovate almost 6,500 square feet for what plans call the Atlantic Women’s Center at a cost of $1.5 million.

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