As health care cuts bite, Florida residents turn to last resort providers
Florida’s uninsurance rate in 2024 was 10.9%, more than 2 percentage points higher than the national average. Health care advocates fear more Floridians will lose health insurance over the next two years after Congress allowed tax credits that subsidized insurance through the Affordable Care Act to expire. It also approved $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid over the next 10 years. The impact is already being felt by safety net options like county government health insurance plans and federally subsidized health care centers. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
HIV patients waiting for DeSantis to sign bill restoring access to medication
A bill that would help the HIV community is on the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The measure (HB 697) would temporarily reverse an emergency rule made by the Florida Department of Health that blocks access to HIV medication for many in need. "Due to rising health care insurance premiums nationwide and lack of additional Ryan White Grant funding, adjustments have been made to ensure resources (are allocated to) the greatest number of individuals within our funding constraints," the department said in its February announcement. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
House-passed repeal of ‘free kill’ dies after Senate stays silent on malpractice tort reform
A bipartisan push to scrap Florida’s “free kill” law cleared the House again this year. But unlike last Session, the legislation never made it through the Senate. The legislation, which passed in both chambers last year with support from 93% of lawmakers before Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, targets a decades-old provision in Florida’s Wrongful Death Act that blocks certain families from recovering noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases. [Source: Florida Politics]
Match Day brings joy and concerns about physician shortage in Central Florida
Future doctors across the country learned where they will continue their medical training on Friday, as part of the annual Match Day. At the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, the moment brought celebration, relief, and a deeper question about the future of health care in Central Florida. The atmosphere was electric as students counted down together and opened envelopes revealing where they would spend the next three to seven years of residency training. [Source: WFTV]
Florida isn't the 'allergy capital' of the U.S., but it's in the conversation
Florida isn’t topping this year’s list of the nation’s worst places for allergy sufferers, but it’s not exactly breathing easy. Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa landed in the top 30 of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2026 list of “allergy capitals,” a reminder that even outside the worst hotspots, the state remains firmly on sneeze guard. The “most challenging places to live with allergies” evaluates the 100 largest U.S. metro areas in the contiguous 48 states based on tree, grass and weed pollen levels, use of over-the-counter allergy medications, and access to board-certified specialists. [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jacksonville air ambulance startup quickly finds success, looks to expand range
Northeast Florida is crowded by major health systems operating side-by-side, each requiring readily available, fast patient transfers — often across long distances. That dynamic is fueling the rapid ascent of Atlas Air Ambulance, a Jacksonville-based fixed-wing medical transport startup. As the only air ambulance stationed in the Northeast Florida region, Atlas leaders have carved themselves a niche inside one of the Southeast’s most competitive medical markets.
› ‘Feeding Tampa Bay’ expands care with new health clinic
A new approach to fighting hunger in the Tampa Bay area is focusing on something bigger than food alone: overall health. Leaders at Feeding Tampa Bay unveiled their latest initiative during Wednesday’s Health and Hunger Summit, where hundreds gathered to learn how nutrition can serve as a bridge to better medical outcomes. “Food insecurity is a health care crisis,” said President and CEO Thomas Mantz.
› Ousted CEO of Florida health system says it was a ‘coup,’ denies mishandling money
Michael “Mike” Sarian, the founder and owner of a health network with five hospitals across South Florida, is speaking out for the first time about his recent ousting as CEO, describing it as a takeover scheme orchestrated by one of his most trusted advisers and a shareholder. Sarian, in a phone interview with the Miami Herald on Wednesday, said he and his family were victims of death threats and other intimidation tactics leading up to the recent “coup” to wrestle away operational control of hospitals in Florida and California.
› Florida State University's Unity 5K aims to advance the cause of health care equity
April 4th is the anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A 5K held in his honor will raise money for charity and aims to raise awareness about healthcare disparities. The Unity 5K is a partnership between the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy and the Civil Right's Institute at Florida State University. Institute Director Ted Ellis says participation is free and is open to everyone.