Florida leads the nation again in Affordable Care Act enrollment

| 2/13/2024

Florida leads the nation again in Affordable Care Act enrollment

It was another record-breaking year for Affordable Care Act enrollment in the U.S., with Florida taking the lead once again. More than 4.2 million Floridians signed up for the federal health care marketplace for 2024 coverage, a 31% increase from last year — and more than 54% from the year before that. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Center Square.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Daycare dilemma

Large segments of Florida’s childcare sector have not recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and for the past three years have been stabilized by an infusion of billions of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan. But the last of that funding will be distributed this year and both childcare advocates and fiscal watchdogs say in the months to come, centers might start closing. [Source: Florida Trend]

State report: Florida nurses have lowest pass rate on national exam

Florida nurses are not performing well on a national licensure exam and came in last among states for their pass rate, according to new data. The Florida Center for Nursing in Tampa released 2023 findings that the pass rate for registered nurses on the National Council of Licensure Examination was 76.75%, well below the national rate of 88.56%. [Source: Naples Daily News]

Proposed changes to Florida medical negligence law draws ire from families

Lawmakers in Tallahassee are looking at repealing a law delineating who can sue for pain and suffering when a loved one is killed due to medical negligence and how much the court can award in such cases. The law is known by critics as “free kill.” Current law prohibits the parents of an unmarried adult child and 25 or older from suing for pain suffering if their child is killed due to medical malpractice. It also prohibits an adult child 25 and older from seeking such damages if their parent is unmarried and dies due to medical negligence. [Source: News 4 Jax]

Bill would allow conversion of Florida hospital districts to nonprofit status

A House panel approved a bill that would create a process for public hospital districts to convert to nonprofit organizations and require districts to study the financial feasibility of converting to nonprofits or selling to for-profit companies. The House Select Committee on Health Innovation on Monday voted 7-3 to approve the proposal (HB 1421), sponsored by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County. Under current law, Fine said districts can sell or lease hospitals to other entities. But he said they cannot convert to nonprofit organizations. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando Health scraps SoDo office tower [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando Health officials have opted not to pursue plans for a 200,000-square-foot corporate office tower following discussion with Orlando planning staff. Members of the company’s development team and their planning firm, GAI Consultants, held a pre-application meeting with city staff in December to discuss the project, which was contemplated for 1227 S. Division Ave. Spokeswoman Kena Lewis told GrowthSpotter on Tuesday the tower project is a “no-go.”

› In Southwest Florida, youth mental health forum targets stress, pressure and risk factors [WGCU]
It’s been a rough few years for the children of southwest Florida. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and a community-shattering hurricane in Ian, it’s difficult for anyone of any age to not feel the doom and gloom. These challenges paired with academic stress, pressure from social media and the looming risk of school shootings are hitting the region’s youth the hardest.

› 'Walk With a Doc' in Tallahassee promotes exercise to help fight illness [Health News Florida]
On top of the usual colds and flu that are common this time of year, there's a new strain of COVID to worry about. In response, doctors from Tallahassee- based Capital Health Plan are urging people to beef up their immune systems before they get sick. Saturday morning saw more than 50 people walking in a group around Cascades Park in Tallahassee. It was Capital Health Plan's "Walk With a Doc," one of those docs being associate medical director Amy Neal, who's seeing a surge in sickness.

› Osceola County’s mobile denture unit aims to put smiles on seniors' faces [WMFE]
Osceola County residents 55 and older will soon have a new low-cost and accessible way to get dental care and dentures if they need them. A mobile clinic will bring smiles to their faces and improve their chances of a long and healthy life. The Senior Smiles program begins providing services Tuesday and will travel throughout the county.

Tags: Health Care eNews

Previous Health Care Updates:

A Florida health provider says better building design can help patients heal

FHSAA to potentially sanction esports in Florida schools

Florida home values have more than doubled in the past decade

Florida invests $850 million to advance Everglades restoration