Private equity is snapping up health chains. What's next for Florida hospitals?
Private equity firms deploy large pools of debt to buy privately held companies or to take public companies private. Their eventual goal is to sell those assets at a profit. Sometimes, private equity deals can rescue hospitals teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Other times, it can drive indebted facilities deeper into the red, leaving patients in the lurch. As private equity's role in the U.S. health care system draws more scrutiny, lawmakers are mounting efforts to curb its reach. [Source: WUFT]
Florida's COVID deaths topped 100,000. But it's no longer among the top 15 causes of death
In 2020, COVID-19 was the third highest cause of death in Florida, behind heart disease and cancer. Now, the virus is no longer among the top 15, ranking behind influenza and pneumonia, as well as chronic lower respiratory diseases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida posted its 100,000th death related to the disease this year. [Source: Health News Florida]
At The Hollow in Florida, the ‘medical freedom’ movement finds its base camp
MAGA and MAHA are happily married in Florida, and nowhere more at home than in Sarasota County, where on a humid October night a crowd of several hundred gathered to honor state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, his wife, and an unlicensed Canadian radiologist who treats cancer with horse paste. The event, titled “The 3 Big C’s: Courage, Censorship & Cancer,” was sponsored by the We the People Health and Wellness Center, a clinic where patients can bask in red light, sit in ozone-infused steam baths, or get their children treated for autism with an experimental blood concentrate.[Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida's nursing homes rank among nation's best in U.S. News report
Florida boasts a strong showing in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of top nursing homes, wit Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa-St. Petersburg — in the national top 20 for the number of highly rated facilities. Across the state, 132 nursing homes earned high marks for short-term care, 153 for long-term care, and 89 excelled in both categories. Florida had 601 nursing homes in total, with 86 earning an overall five-star rating, according to the report released Thursday. [Source: WUSF]
State wants Molina Healthcare of Florida for new Medicaid managed-care contract
The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced its intent to award a multibillion-dollar Medicaid managed-care contract for medically complex children to Molina Healthcare of Florida. The decision, announced earlier this month, is not final and can be challenged. Vendors had 72 hours following the Nov. 3 announcement to notify the state of their intent to challenge the decision. Thereafter, statutes provide vendors an additional 10 days to file formal written protests with the state. The Agency for Health Care Administration did not immediately say whether it had received any protest notices. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› South Florida nurses union rallies in Hialeah for better pay, patient safety
Unionized nurses at three South Florida hospitals rallied outside Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah on Friday morning for a new three-year contract, demanding more pay and better patient safety. The last contract expired Sept. 30 and current negotiations with Healthcare Services of America have since stalled, according to a statement from the nurses, who are members of the National Nurses Organizing Committee.
› Jacksonville telehealth program faces scrutiny over city-funded hospital savings
City leaders in Jacksonville are reviewing a telehealth program that spends taxpayer dollars to help hospitals reduce emergency room costs by diverting uninsured patients to other services. Telescope Health, the company running the city's Healthlink Jax program, is defending its partnership after City Council member Rory Diamond and the Duval County DOGE committee raised concerns about whether the city-funded initiative is justified and transparent.
› The Villages residents may need to change health care insurance
Thousands of United Healthcare members living in The Villages might have to switch health insurance. Earlier this year The Villages Health System filed for bankruptcy, and in September, Villages Health assets moved over to CenterWell Primary Care. But now members are being told there has yet to be an agreement between CenterWell and United Healthcare which is The Villages Health System's primary insurance provider.
› Nemours approved to join legal fight over new Florida transplant rule
An administrative law judge has approved a request by Nemours Children’s Hospital to intervene in a battle over a proposed state rule about approving organ transplant programs. Nemours has sought to support the proposed rule, which was issued in August by the state Agency for Health Care Administration. An initial attempt to intervene was denied because a judge ruled that Nemours had not established legal standing. But Nemours filed a revised request, which was approved Thursday by Administrative Law Judge Andrew King.