Most Florida nursing homes aren’t ready for hurricanes

Only 48 nursing homes and 91 assisted-living facilities have reported they have installed equipment and had state site inspections as of May 25, according to the Agency of Health Care Administration, which is in charge of tracking and enforcing the new rule. More from the Tampa Bay Times, WJHG, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and Health News Florida.

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» Florida leaders offer ideas to improve nursing home care

Florida prepares to launch site for health care costs without state's largest insurer

Gov. Rick Scott's administration is planning an initial launch of a $4 million website designed to give Floridians greater transparency on health care costs without data from the state’s largest commercial insurer, the head of the state's health agency said. [Source: Naples Daily News]

FSU medical students experience rural health care

First year students in Florida State's College of Medicine spent the day experiencing rural health care across north Florida and south Georgia. The Rural Learning Experience, as it's called, has been a part of the College of Medicine's curriculum for nearly ten years, and shows new students how rural medicine and care differs from the larger hospitals they may be used to. [Source: WTXL]

Column: One by one, let’s remove the barriers to mental health care

One way to increase access to behavioral health providers is to embed them within existing primary care offices. While “stand alone” clinics are also important, placing behavioral health providers within primary care offices makes it more convenient for patients to access necessary care; in addition, it promotes more efficient collaboration among providers. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

Judge's ruling on smoking medical marijuana could force state to act

Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said Monday she will decide quickly on whether to lift an automatic stay on her ruling declaring that the state's ban on smoking medical marijuana is unconstitutional If she lifts the ban, it will force Gov. Rick Scott and state regulators to move forward on rules they have spent the last two years trying to delay. [Source: Times/Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida approves three new hospitals for Collier and Lee [Naples Daily News]
Florida regulators have approved plans for three new hospitals in Lee and Collier counties, a decision that reverses the state's view four years ago that no new health centers were needed in the region.

› Nemours app helps Florida families find healthcare during a hurricane [Health News Florida]
The Nemours CareConnect app can connect Florida families with medical help every day of the week, 24 hours a day during hurricane season, which officially started June 1.

› Two health plans tapped for Medicaid contracts in Florida [WLRN]
Florida Medicaid officials on Thursday announced their intent to award contracts to two companies owned by health care providers, bringing to 11 the number of managed-care plans expected to sign five-year contracts with the state.

› Florida Breast Cancer Foundation opens first regional office in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Florida Breast Cancer Foundation has opened its first regional office in Central Florida, following the closure of the local chapter of Susan G. Komen foundation earlier this year. Komen’s signature fundraising race was canceled in February, and Florida Breast Cancer Foundation isn’t planning to hold one.