Class action: Florida held 4% of the hearings people requested after losing Medicaid benefits
State agencies received more than 11,000 requests for hearings from people challenging their loss of Medicaid benefits between April of last year and this May, but held only 484 hearings, according to evidence presented in federal court Thursday. The office overseeing the hearings reversed the Florida Department of Children and Families’ decision to revoke people’s Medicaid benefits in just 52 appeals. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
OneBlood software coming back online amid ransomware event
The Orlando-based nonprofit blood center serves much of the southeastern United States. It became a target of ransomware on July 29, which has since impacted its software and collection system. However, the center adopted manual processes to continue to collect, test, process and distribute blood to over 250 hospitals. [Source: Click Orlando]
Florida’s RSV season is already underway. Here’s a primer
Many people have gotten used to rolling up their sleeves for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. New immunizations are also available to combat respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, for those at high risk of illness. Although the one-time shots reached pharmacies last year, fewer than a quarter of those 60 or older nationally had been vaccinated as of May. Even in Florida, not many older adults have gotten the shot yet. [Source: Health News Florida]
Florida providers urge families to take advantage of free vaccine clinics
The Florida Department of Health is offering free vaccine clinics as students get ready to head back to school. Children entering, attending or transferring to Florida public school must get certain immunizations. The branches of the health department are offering free vaccine in most cases for kids up to the age of 18. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Florida doctors explain how new blood tests can speed up Alzheimer's diagnoses
Blood tests can more accurately detect Alzheimer’s disease than other available methods used by doctors, according to results of a study presented recently at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2024 in Philadelphia. This could soon make it simpler and quicker for doctors in Florida to diagnose this common brain disorder. One that's a growing public health crisis, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, which estimates that 580,000 people 65 years of age and older live with it in the state. [Source: WLRN]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› As extreme temperatures persist in South Florida, so do threats of heat-related illness
Mike Norris works so many hours outdoors in South Florida that he's an expert in handling extreme heat. “I feel like I’ve got my Ph.D in dealing with it now,” he told WLRN. “Even in the shade sometimes, it's hot. It gets pretty brutal.” Norris is one of between 500,000 and 2 million Floridians with jobs that require them to work outdoors.
› Orlando Health to buy five-hospital system in Alabama for more than $900 million
Orlando Health announced Monday it will buy a majority interest in a five-hospital health system based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Orlando company is purchasing Tenet Healthcare Corporation’s 70% share in Brookwood Baptist Health, Tenet announced, for about $910 million. Orlando Health already operates 17 hospitals and other medical centers and has about 4,500 physicians with privileges at its facilities.
› UF Health is no longer involved in plans for a new Palm Beach Gardens hospital
The University of Florida Health System will no longer be involved in the building of a new hospital in Palm Beach Gardens. A UF Health representative cited leadership changes for pressing pause, the South Florida Business Journalreported.. Jupiter Medical Center plans to move forward with the project.
› BayCare may receive up to $1.9 billion in Hillsborough bond funding
BayCare Health System could soon receive up to $1.9 billion in tax-exempt bonds to finance renovation to their existing hospitals and for the construction of several new buildings. Hospital leaders presented their application Thursday to Hillsborough County’s Industrial Development Authority, a group that issues bonds to fund capital projects that create jobs and boost the county economy.