Your access to health care in Florida is changing. Here's how.

| 6/27/2023

Your access to health care in Florida is changing. Here’s how.

Florida lawmakers this year passed a series of laws that expand access to health care coverage for many residents. The changes could help people with diabetes who are on Medicaid, better track genetic diseases, expand coverage for children and more. Some of the laws are set to go into effect later this summer and fall, while others are now active. Here is what to know about four consequential bills. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Abortions increased in Florida more than in California and New York post-Dobbs. Here’s why.

While leading liberal states like New York and California saw some increases in the number of abortions, their numbers were far eclipsed by Florida because it borders states with severe abortion restrictions. The Republican-controlled state — where Gov. Ron DeSantis’ six-week abortion ban remains tied up in court — saw the largest increase in abortions post-Dobbs. [Source: Politico]

Federal judge strikes down Florida’s Medicaid coverage ban for transgender treatment

A federal judge on Wednesday struck down Florida rules championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis restricting Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatments for potentially thousands of transgender people. “Gender identity is real” and the state has admitted it, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle wrote in a 54-page ruling. He said a Florida health code rule and a new state law violated federal laws on Medicaid, equal protection and the Affordable Care Act’s prohibition of sex discrimination. [Source: AP]

KidCare expansion signed: Helps ensure Florida families 'can economically prosper'

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a bill that increases the income threshold to qualify for subsidized coverage under the Florida KidCare program. Under KidCare, families who do not qualify for Medicaid pay $15 or $20 a month in premiums to insure children. Previously, subsidized coverage was available to families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $60,000 for a family of four. The new law increases that threshold to 300 percent, or $90,000 for a family of four. [Source: Health News Florida]

With hurricane season here, Florida health centers assess readiness

With hurricane season here, Florida is bracing for the worst. The state ranks sixth in the country for most weather-related power outages over the past 20 years. Powering through weather-related disasters carries far-reaching public health considerations. Health centers must be able to keep their doors open to respond to local health needs after catastrophic weather events, yet reported experiencing, on average, three outages per year. [Source: Direct Relief]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› St. Petersburg hospital, physician face backlash over Netflix doc [Tampa Bay Times]
A Netflix documentary about a Florida girl who was taken into state custody when her parents brought her to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has made the hospital the target of a barrage of condemnation on social media. Venice resident Maya Kowalski was 10 when a judge ordered she be sheltered at the hospital and not allowed contact with her mom, Beata Kowalski, after All Children’s twice reported the woman to the state’s abuse hotline.

› Hospital systems partner with UCF in scholarships, donations toward new College of Nursing campus [FOX 35]
With assistance from two of Central Florida's largest hospital systems, the University of Central Florida announced that its College of Nursing is one step closer to a new building planned for the UCF Academic Health Sciences Center in Lake Nona. AdventHealth and Orlando Health have each committed $5 million in contributions towards the $70 million needed to break ground on the project in what is known as Orlando’s Medical City.

› Brooks Rehabilitation and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville combine for new residency [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Two of Jacksonville’s leading medical care facilities are teaming to create a new residency program for medical students wanting to pursue a career in the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries and strokes. Brooks Rehabilitation and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville announced the formation of the Mayo Clinic PM&R Residency Program on June 26. PM&R stands for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

› How health tech is targeting Tampa Bay nurse shortages [Tampa Bay Times]
The nursing profession is still in crisis after COVID-19. Florida is projected to be short nearly 60,000 nurses by 2035, per the Florida Hospital Association. Three-quarters of U.S. nursing homes are so stretched thin that they’ve turned to contract nurses.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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