Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Number of children lacking health insurance in Florida increases

Number of children lacking health insurance in Florida increases

The number of uninsured children in Florida in 2017 rose slightly to 7.6 percent. Joan Alker, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Children and Families said that while the small rise — from 7.4 percent the previous year — may be statistically insignificant, it could be “an early warning sign” that Florida’s seven-year trend of lowering uninsured rates for children is at risk. More from Florida Politics and the Orlando Weekly.

Suicide rates rising in Florida and across the U.S.

Florida’s suicide rate increased 10.6 percent from 1999 to 2016, though most states saw larger increases, according to a new report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report showed an overall 25.4 percent increase nationally during the period, with only one state --- Nevada --- seeing a decrease in its rate. [Source: WGCU]

Startup Synzi brings virtual care to home health entities, hospitals and health plans

As virtual care increases in popularity, a Clearwater, Florida startup is targeting three types of customers: hospitals, health plans and home health organizations. The startup, Synzi, was formed out of Stratus Video, a language services company. [Source: Med City News]

Lucrative Florida prison health care contract under increasing scrutiny

Deep cuts to drug treatment, mental health and community re-entry programs across Florida are heightening scrutiny of a lucrative, prison health care contract poised to be finalized this month. The $375 million deal now on the table with Centurion of Florida allows it to take an 11.5 percent “administrative fee” that can not only cover a variety of costs, but also be pocketed by the company as profit. More from the and the Panama City News Herald.

Hospital and healthcare worker association summit to focus on disaster response

Emergency management and response will be the focus of the South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association’s 2018 Healthcare Summit on June 13-14 at the Signature Grand in Davie. Tickets remain available for the event, which will explore lessons learned from last year’s hurricanes as well as the shooting tragedies in Parkland, Orlando and Las Vegas. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› In St. Pete, kidney patients gather for science and solidarity
There are more than 40 million people affected by chronic kidney disease in the U.S. alone, making the American Association of Kidney Patients one of the largest patient organizations in America. Patients, caregivers, doctors and government officials gathered in St. Petersburg for the group’s 43rd annual National Patient Meeting this weekend.

› Manatee County EMT Named 2018 Florida EMT of the Year
Manatee County EMT Aaron White has been named 2018 Florida EMT of the Year. Also Manatee County's 2017 Employee of the Year, and a life-saving EMT working with the County since 2009, White now has statewide recognition.

›How a Largo doctor became a Tony-nominated Broadway producer
Dr. Jeffrey Grove has devoted most of his life to the practice. But as most of his patients know, that’s not his only line of work. A collage from trips to New York depicts another world, as does a framed poster of the musical Once on This Island with his name above the title.

› School mental health services to expand in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County families will see dramatic improvements in school mental health services starting next year, thanks to a new state law passed after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in February.