Legislature setting stage for major 2026 abortion clash

This year, state lawmakers are pushing bills that will reignite the abortion debate for Florida's 2026 legislative session. Florida's six-week abortion ban, which critics call a near-total prohibition on the procedure, isn't the finish line for anti-abortion advocates in the Capitol. For the third year in a row, Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, has filed a measure (SB 164) to give parents the ability to sue for damages for the wrongful death of an unborn child. The language defines “unborn child” as “a member of the species Homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb.” [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Column: Why federal handouts can’t fix structural rot in US health care

The latest government shutdown was caused by more than just political machinations. It was triggered by Congress’ refusal to address whether temporary COVID-era health insurance subsidies should be added as a permanent federal entitlement. These subsidies, sold as emergency relief, lowered Affordable Care Act premiums and cut hospital charity-care losses. Making them permanent, however, would cost billions each year and worsen health care inflation without improving quality or access. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Young women face alarming breast cancer rates, study reveals

A study in the New York region showed that 20-24% of breast cancer cases over an 11-year period were in women aged 18 to 49. This research was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Dr. Elizabeth Arguelles, board-certified breast surgeon with the Magnolia Breast Center and director of the Breast Program at Physicians Regional Medical Center, said she is treating multiple women in their 30s and 40s diagnosed with breast cancer, which she finds concerning. [Source: WINK]

Why Florida is ground zero for coming ObamaCare storm

Florida will be hit harder than any other state if ObamaCare subsidies expire at the end of the year, which is looking increasingly likely as Republicans in Congress struggle to unite behind a plan to extend the tax credits. More than 1.5 million Floridians could lose health care as monthly payments skyrocket. Average premium costs could shoot up by 132 percent, or by $521 annually, for Floridians who currently receive enhanced ObamaCare subsidies, according to the Center for American Progress. [Source: The Hill]

Florida moves toward eliminating four vaccine mandates, expanding exemption

The Florida Department of Health on Wednesday took a step toward eliminating four childhood vaccine mandates — a move the department can take without the Legislature’s sign-off or the governor’s signature. The proposal, which was debated during a Friday workshop in Panama City Beach, is the first tangible step in Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s plan to eliminate all vaccine mandates in Florida. Florida statute requires vaccinations for diseases like polio, measles and tetanus. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida among 18 states to limit junk food from SNAP benefits next year [My Suncoast]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved waivers for 18 states that ban the use of SNAP benefits to buy certain sugary foods and drinks. Starting in 2026, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, West Virginia, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee will prohibit the use of SNAP benefits to buy items like soda, energy drinks, candy and prepared desserts.

› FDA warns 4 major retailers about failure to quickly stop sales of recalled ByHeart infant formula [CBS News Miami]
Four of the nation's top retail stores failed to promptly pull contaminated infant formula tied to a dangerous botulism outbreak from their shelves, federal health officials said in warning letters posted Monday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent letters to leaders at Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons saying the companies continued to sell ByHeart infant formula for days or weeks, despite a Nov. 11 recall of all products in the outbreak that has sickened more than 50 babies in 19 states.

› Florida's Latino families being squeezed financially by high health care, child care costs [WUSF]
The National Latino Report 2025 survey found that, like the rest of the country, Florida's Latino families rank improving wages, addressing the rising cost of living, and securing affordable housing as their top priorities. However, the child care crisis appears to be acutely worse. According to the data, a significantly higher percentage of Floridian Latino families whose children have not received care point directly to cost as the barrier.

› Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center completes first EVOQUE™ tricuspid valve replacement in northern Palm Beach County [South Florida Hospital News]
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center announces today it has successfully completed its first EVOQUE™ tricuspid valve replacement, marking a major advancement in cardiac care for the region. The milestone procedure, performed by interventional cardiologist Dr. Augusta Villa, makes PBGMC the first hospital in northern Palm Beach County to utilize this innovative technology to treat patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

Sandra Cires: One of Florida’s top YouTube stars