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Gov. Ron DeSantis taps head of UF pediatrics research to lead health agency

Gov. Ron DeSantis taps head of UF pediatrics research to lead health agency

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday named Dr. Scott Rivkees, chairman of pediatrics at the University of Florida medical school, as surgeon general and secretary of the Florida Department of Health. Rivkees is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and had postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. He will lead an agency with a $3 billion budget and more than 13,400 employees. See the announcement here and read more from the and the Tampa Bay Times.

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» Gov. DeSantis unveils plan to combat opioid abuse in Florida

Florida House's free-market overhaul of health care rattles hospitals

If House Speaker Jose Oliva gets his way, Florida’s health care system is about to get a free market makeover, with deregulation for new hospitals, telehealth incentives for insurers and other changes that some care providers say will erode quality and access [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Economic impact of WellCare purchase unknown

Tampa-based WellCare Health Plans may soon merge with a St. Louis-based company to create one of the biggest insurers in the country. But that means the loss of headquarters for one of the Tampa Bay area's top public companies. Centene announced plans Wednesday to purchase WellCare for $17.3 billion. [Source: WUSF]

Florida considers a new option for moms who don’t want to give birth in a hospital

Lawmakers are debating “advanced birthing centers,” which would be more comfortable than hospitals but more advanced than birth centers already in place. If approved, they would be first such facilities in the nation. But some hospital officials and doctors contend they could put patients in danger. [Source: ]

Rick Scott introduces Transparent Drug Pricing Act

Sen. Rick Scott has introduced an act that would effectively lower the cost for prescription drugs. Scott announced the introduction of the Transparent Drug Pricing Act, Friday morning. Scott said the act would promote transparency in drug pricing and would reduce the cost of prescription drugs for American consumers. More from WSVN and Health News Florida.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Rare measles case confirmed in Florida
A case of measles has been confirmed in Broward County. The Florida Health Department reported the case involves a man who got the illness outside the U.S. State health officials say measles is rare in Florida because of high vaccination rates, and most cases come from foreign travel.

› Trial of Miami nursing home executive $1B fraud nears end
The federal trial of a Florida health care executive wrapped up on Friday with closing statements from the prosecution calling the defendant a trickster who couldn't help himself and his defense arguing he was an ambitious and caring businessman.

› Medicaid pilot program to aid Orlando-area homeless
Florida has won federal approval to use Medicaid funds for a $750,000 pilot program aimed in part at helping chronically homeless individuals in the greater Orlando area, officials announced.

› Construction firm completes medical company’s headquarters
Commercial construction firm Halfacre Construction Co. recently finalized a new 54,667-square-foot corporate headquarters for national laboratory products distribution company Mercedes Scientific.