House Speaker: Florida health care 'behind the curve'

Have no doubt: Incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva wants to expand access to health care by expanding the scope of practice for Florida nurses. He also wants less government regulation in Florida’s health care delivery system and more free-market principles. More from Florida Politics and WLRN.

See also:
» Florida’s new House Speaker wants to reduce government, health care spending
» Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis names Broward County hospital executive to key post

Scripps Florida discovers 'broken gene' leading to issues with touch, pain in autistic children

Through the help of a concerned mother and the power of social media, a Scripps Florida scientist has linked autism traits, and the different processing of pain, to a gene mutation. The discovery could be a strategy for treating or even curing the genetic causes of autism. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Flu season has been slow across Florida, experts recommend getting vaccinated

Experts say the number of flu cases could rise over the holidays as people share germs along with turkey dinners. A flu shot and good hygiene practices are crucial to staying healthy. Florida Department of Health’s Alvina Chu says that’s why the CDC recommends everyone as young as six months of age with no contraindications get the shot. [Source: WUSF]

See also:
» Second child dies from flu-related illness in Florida

Judge rejects state contracts for HIV and AIDS care

An administrative law judge recommended that the state Agency for Health Care Administration toss aside agreements it signed for treatment of Medicaid beneficiaries with HIV and AIDS in three South Florida counties. In an 80-page ruling, Judge John Newton said the Agency for Health Care Administration did not follow rules it included in an initial request for vendors in the Medicaid managed-care program. [Source: Daily Business Review]

Dental group encourages Floridians to speak to dentists about insurance benefits

According to a 2017 Lincoln Financial Group dental research study, one in four people with employer-sponsored dental insurance say they haven’t been to the dentist in the past year for routine checkups and cleanings due to cost. So the Florida Dental Association is encouraging patients to talk directly to their dentists when choosing a benefits plan to determine what kind of care they need and what’s covered. [Source: Health News Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Column: Big changes possible for medical marijuana patients [TBO.com]
John Morgan led the campaign to persuade voters to legalize medical marijuana in Florida. Now the attorney is fighting a court battle to overturn the state law that excludes smoking marijuana as a medical treatment. If he's successful, the most immediate impact would be whole flower cannabis appearing in medical marijuana treatment centers facilities throughout Florida.

› Florida’s first case of dengue fever in 2018 confirmed [University of Miami News]
The state’s first case of dengue fever this year has been confirmed in Miami-Dade County, health officials have reported. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat the illness. Symptoms usually lasts 4 to 7 days, according to the Florida Department of Health.

› Oscar asks judge to immediately stop Florida Blue’s exclusivity policy [WUSF]
A new health insurer in Florida is asking a judge to immediately block Florida Blue from contracting exclusively with insurance brokers. The request for a preliminary injunction comes on the heels of an antitrust lawsuit that Oscar filed last week against Florida's largest health insurer.

› USF pushes future health care workers to cross old boundaries [Tampa Bay Times]
The health care industry is undergoing fundamental change with the goal of reducing costs and changing millions of patients’ lives for the better. It’s a complex task with billions of dollars at stake. But a key to making it work involves a simple step: getting to know the person down the hall.