Florida bill expands vaccine exemptions, but keeps mandates in law
Florida may keep some required vaccine mandates after all. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo made national news in September when he announced a plan to remove all vaccine mandates from state law. But so far, no lawmaker has any bill that would do away with the mandated vaccines, which include required shots for polio, measles, mumps and more. Instead, the bill moving forward this legislative session would keep the state’s statutory vaccine requirements but make it easier for parents to opt out. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Alzheimer's advocates are in Tallahassee pushing for awareness initiative
Advocates for the estimated 580,000 seniors in Florida with Alzheimer's disease are reaching out to lawmakers in Tallahassee this week. The Alzheimer's Association is urging lawmakers to increase funding for its Brain Bus, which educates people all over the state about brain health along with early detection, caregiver support and emergency preparedness. It's also advocating for more funding to reduce the waiting list for respite care — to give in-home caregivers a break — and for Alzheimer's research in the state. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Thousands in Florida to lose access to HIV meds because of state cuts
Thousands of Floridians living with HIV may lose access to potentially life-saving medication. This comes as the Florida Department of Health changed its eligibility requirement for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, lowering income eligibility from at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to 130%. More than 15,000 HIV patients in Florida could lose access to their medications starting March 1, following the changes. [Source: Spectrum News]
Florida reports three new measles cases
Three new cases of measles have been confirmed in Florida, including one each in Hillsborough and Manatee counties, state data shows. The Hillsborough case was in a person aged between 20 and 24 who was infected by the highly contagious disease in Florida this month, a Florida Department of Health database for infectious and reportable diseases shows. The Manatee case was acquired outside the United States. It’s not known if they are connected or if any of those infected are higher-education students. The third reported case was in St. Johns County. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida officials find elevated levels of arsenic in children’s candy
Florida officials are warning parents to take a closer look at their children’s candy following state testing that showed several popular sweets contain elevated levels of arsenic. The state’s website published the results, which showed some of the offenders included SweeTarts, Laffy Taffy Banana, Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers, Kit Kat, Hershey’s Cookies ’N’ Creme, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Swedish Fish, Dots, Tootsie Rolls and Nerds. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Legislation to lower drug costs clears first hurdle in Florida House
The proposal would take a series of steps, including instituting what is described as a “most favored nation” system on drug prices. That would involve analyzing drug prices in certain other countries and using those prices to set limits on what Florida patients could pay.
› Blood donations sought as supply lags in Northeast Florida
Supplies of donated blood are critically low in Florida, including Jacksonville, according to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. The nonprofit community blood bank serves more than 150 hospitals in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. It is asking people to donate to save lives. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. In a nine-state South Region, many blood donor organizations are struggling to meet demand.
› Can this chip stop you getting the wrong meds? A Tampa firm is betting yes.
Tampa firm RxERP is taking part in a clinical operations trial of a p-Chip, a microscopic computer chip that emits a unique radio signal. The chip can be embedded in the actual glass or plastic of medication bottles so they can be tracked through the supply chain. The p-Chip will provide an additional level of security and reassurance for those in the industry and patients, said founder and CEO Steve Madsen.
› Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital unveils $32M expansion to boost heart care
Orlando Health in St. Cloud will open a major expansion at its hospital, including new cardiac catheterization labs and ICU rooms. The additions aim to improve emergency heart-attack care and critical patient recovery. Dr. Prakrut Patel, an interventional cardiologist at the hospital, said the facilities are urgently needed in the community. “An area like this, we see one person having a major heart attack every other night,” he said.