Florida nursing homes say they're ready for 2018 hurricane season

Hoping to prevent a future disaster, new laws require permanent generators be installed in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Nursing home representatives said the new generator law, along with additional training and disaster preparedness, have put nursing homes in a better position to protect residents this hurricane season. More from WJXT and WJHG.

See also:
» Opinion: Nursing centers ready for storms
» Florida fines Sarasota nursing home $26,000

Medical marijuana smoking ruling on hold in Florida

Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers on Friday ruled that the state’s ban on smokable cannabis is unconstitutional. Florida’s Department of Health said in a statement it has appealed the ruling, which will impose a temporary delay until the appellate court can issue a final order. More from WTSP and Flagler Live.

Commentary: An integrated response to the uncertainties in Florida’s healthcare industry

As difficult as the challenges are facing the healthcare industry in Florida, the industry itself has the power to address them. It requires a different way of thinking and of doing business — and the time is right for that very thing to happen. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida's slashed drug programs will result in hundreds of layoffs

Gov. Rick Scott and leaders of the Florida House rejected appeals to save $28 million in prison programs Friday, choosing instead to allow hundreds of layoffs at inmate transition and treatment programs throughout the state when the programs close at the end of June. [Source: Times/Herald]

Florida pain management practice resolves U.S. billing probe

A Florida pain management practice has agreed to pay more than $1.49 million as part of a deal that resolved claims it billed government healthcare programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday. [Source: Reuters]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Broward's largest mental health provider denies responsibility for Nikolas Cruz's actions [WUSF]
In response to a lawsuit filed by the father of a victim of the Parkland school shooting, Broward County’s largest mental health services provider has denied accusations that it mistreated confessed-shooter Nikolas Cruz.

› Florida hospital CEO: Not telling parents about needle in baby's heart was a 'complete failure' [Becker's Hospital Review]
Jonathan Ellen, MD, president, CEO and physician-in-chief of St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital said May 22 the hospital has scaled back the number of heart operations it performs following two incidents in which needles were left in patients' hearts after surgery,.

› Grant will help 3,000 Southwest Florida residents get improved dental care [Fort Myers News-Press]
Approximately 3,300 Southwest Florida residents will have free access to comprehensive dental care with the expansion of the We Care Dental Clinic. The Florida Blue Foundation provided a grant for $296,000 to help fund the expansion.

› New CEO has given Heart of Florida Health Center fresh momentum [Ocala Star-Banner]
Almost a year ago, the Marion County Hospital District’s board of trustees was reluctant to finance the Heart of Florida Health Center — not because there wasn’t a need for the area’s largest provider of healthcare to the poor, but because it felt the operation wasn’t on the right track.