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Florida lawmakers weigh health care liability protections
Florida lawmakers weigh health care liability protections
The House Health & Human Services Committee on Thursday conducted its first --- and last --- workshop on COVID-19 liability protections for health care providers. The committee heard from representatives of hospitals, physicians and long-term care facilities who said the Legislature needs to make changes to protect them from a potential flood of lawsuits, while trial attorneys said current law provides adequate protections and that providing immunity will do more harm than good. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida pushes back on reports of tourists coming just to get COVID shots
The state was one of the first to open vaccine eligibility to members of the general public over age 65. That has led to rumors that day-trippers are visiting only to get inoculated and then leaving again. Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials say the nonresidents who are getting shots are almost entirely “snowbirds,” residents who live in the state for several months during the winter and who could infect others if they aren’t vaccinated. [Source: AP]
Florida's coronavirus positivity rate dips below 10% for first time in two weeks
The positivity rate of people who tested positive for the coronavirus for the first time dropped to 8.63%, the lowest it's been since Dec. 27 when it was 9.69%, according to Thursday's report from the state Department of Health. State health officials said 13,720 people across Florida tested positive for coronavirus since Wednesday’s daily numbers report. [Source: WUSF]
Cannabis wellness company relocates HQ to South Florida
A wellness and cannabis company is relocating to South Florida, marking another example of the surge in businesses moving to the region. Neptune Wellness Solutions, a publicly traded company based in Canada, will open its U.S. headquarters in Jupiter in June, according to its CEO, Michael Cammarata. Cammarata, who grew up in Florida and lives in Jupiter’s Admirals Cove, is the co-founder and former CEO of Schmidt’s Naturals, which he sold to Unilever for an undisclosed amount in 2017. [Source: The Real Deal]
Southwest Florida mental health leaders: We're at a 'crisis point' for kids
Pandemic-spurred demand for mental health services has reached a crisis point, further straining Southwest Florida’s under-resourced system, said top providers who came together last week to call for support and advocacy to better serve the sick. “This is an especially vulnerable time for all of us, especially our children,” said Dr. Emad Salman, chief physician executive and vice president of operations at Golisano Children’s Services. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Health care tech firm raises $23 million
Aspen RxHealth, which created a mobile-based application that connects health plan members with pharmacists, has completed a capital raise, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, that generated $23 million the company intends to use to expand into new markets and create other strategic opportunities.
› Florida House proposal would lift telehealth restrictions
Amid expanded use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, a House Republican on Wednesday filed a bill that would eliminate restrictions on prescribing controlled substances through telehealth. Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miramar, filed the proposal (HB 247) for consideration during the 2021 legislative session, which will start March 2.
› AdventHealth delays some elective surgeries as COVID stretches resources
AdventHealth is delaying some elective surgeries as COVID-19 cases continue to stretch hospital resources in Central Florida. As of noon on Thursday, 7,700 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide. That’s a 10% increase from 10 days ago. AdventHealth market CEO Brian Adams said the hospital is still doing some elective surgeries.
› Medical firm takes curvy road to find right partner
Sarasota medical cannabis company AltMed Enterprises had a rough go the first time it entered into a partnership agreement with another company. Back then, in 2014, the then-new company invested $850,000 in a potential partnership with a company in Arizona, to grow and develop products together. Soon after AltMed cut the check, the would-be partner made off with the money.
Previous Health Care Updates:
- A Florida health provider says better building design can help patients heal
- Florida hospitals: Building boom
- Abortion proposal on Florida's November ballot might not end legal fights about the issue
- More leprosy cases are popping up in Florida. Why an ancient disease might be endemic
- Thousands of Florida kids lost Medicaid, now some have no coverage
- Stuck in licensing limbo, Florida nursing students want answers. They're not getting them
- How a nationwide cyberattack is impacting Florida patients and hospitals
- The computer will see you now: Artificial Intelligence usage grows at Florida hospitals
- Measles is a 'heat-seeking missile' experts warn as Florida outbreak grows
