Florida bill would force some on Medicaid to work but at what cost?
Only the lowest paid Floridians qualify for Medicaid in the Sunshine State, the result of eligibility rules that are among the strictest in the nation. The result is that the vast majority of the almost four million Floridians enrolled in the federal health benefit program are children, disabled individuals and adults who stay home to care for young children or the elderly. Despite that, Florida may be about to adopt a work requirement program that critics say could violate federal law. It will likely cost millions of dollars to implement and enforce. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida has third-most measles cases in U.S.
Florida has the third-most measles cases in the country and is on track to be the second-highest. The Sunshin State is only nine cases behind Utah, which has 123 confirmed measles diagnoses for 2026. Florida’s numbers lag behind by five days and are updated every Thursday, however, while Utah’s cases update at least every Tuesday. South Carolina, which has been the epicenter of an outbreak that originated in Spartanburg County, has the most confirmed cases with 653. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Why is Florida ending longtime HIV drug assistance to more than 10,000?
Florida health officials are invoking state emergency rule-making powers to end assistance that helps tens of thousands buy their HIV medications — triggering warnings of a return to the days of the deadly disease spreading. The emergency rule, which cuts off an estimated 10,000 to 16,000 patients from their state medication funding starting March 1, could create another emergency, advocates contend. More from the Palm Beach Post and the Tampa Bay Times.
Can food be medicine? One Florida nonprofit is cooking up a prescription for diabetics.
Feeding Tampa Bay began cooking and delivering medically tailored meals to people with chronic diabetes in North Tampa and East Tampa last week. The six-month pilot in partnership with BayCare is aimed at those who are homebound either because of illness or because they cannot afford their own transportation. “The program is designed to meet the complicated and often complex nutritional needs of patients once they leave our hospital,” said Lisa Bell, BayCare director of community benefit. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida 'Medical Freedom Act' would allow parents to opt out of school vaccines for personal beliefs
Florida lawmakers are considering the "Medical Freedom Act," which would allow parents to opt their children out of school-required vaccines for personal or philosophical beliefs. Supporters said the bill promotes informed consent, while opponents warn it could lower vaccination rates amid rising measles cases. The legislation is moving through committees and could take effect July 1, if passed. [Source: WTVT]
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› Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov makes ‘generational’ donation to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
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› Tampa General earns top hospital honor for eighth consecutive year
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