March 28, 2024
As lawmakers head home, a look at health care-related bills sent to DeSantis

Florida Trend Health Care

As lawmakers head home, a look at health care-related bills sent to DeSantis

| 5/9/2023

As lawmakers head home, a look at health care-related bills sent to DeSantis

After 60 tumultuous days of fighting about abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues, the Florida Legislature ended its annual session Friday by unanimously passing a $117 billion state budget. Nevertheless, as the traditional hanky drop and “sine die” declaration closed the session, lawmakers left the Capitol with a stack of bills on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. Many of them are related to health care. [Source: WUSF]

‘They don’t care what’s best for my child. I care’: Mom fights Florida over fragile son

From the time he was born 2,082 days ago, Braydenn Powell has never lived a moment outside a hospital or institution. His parents, who live near Dallas, desperately want to take him home. Florida health administrators are paying roughly $250,000 yearly for his care at a nursing home, where he is likely to remain for the rest of his childhood, if not the rest of his life. A medical airlift, at a fraction of that cost, would reunite the medically fragile 5-year-old with his family, and shift the burden of his care from Florida to Texas. But the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration won’t pay for that. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida abortion rights supporters are launching a campaign to put the issue on the ballot

After the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a law to prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, abortion-rights supporters want to take the issue to voters. Floridians Protecting Freedom, a newly formed group, plan to hold a news conference Monday in Tallahassee to begin a campaign to pass a constitutional amendment supporting abortion rights, according to a news release Friday. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Trial set to begin over Medicaid coverage for transgender treatments

A trial will start Tuesday after a federal judge rejected an attempt by the state to scuttle a lawsuit that challenges a decision to prevent Medicaid coverage for treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender people. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Thursday denied a state motion for summary judgment, saying “there are genuine factual disputes critical to resolving the merits.” [Source: WUSF]

Florida Senate confirms reappointment of Ladapo as surgeon general

The Florida Senate confirmed the reappointment of state Surgeon General Dr. Josepth Ladapo on Thursday. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 27-12 along party lines to confirm Ladapo. The position also leads the state Department of Health. Ladapo’s confirmation came after a final protest from Democrat Sen. Tina Polsky of Boca Raton. In April, the Tampa Bay Times reported that an analysis used by Ladapo to caution young men against getting the COVID-19 vaccine omitted information on cardiac-related deaths. [Source: Health News Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa Bay hospital infection rates rose during pandemic, group warns
A spike in the number of hospital acquired infections during the pandemic were among the factors that downgraded several Tampa Bay region hospitals safety ratings, according to a new analysis released this week. Across the Unites States, cases of MRSA, urinary tract infections from catheters and infections from blood lines rose significantly during the pandemic, according to the report released by Leapfrog, an independent nonprofit that ranks U.S. hospitals on their safety.

› 'The need has grown': Central Florida Health Care's food program fills a critical gap
In this land of plenty, there are plenty who are hungry. A little known but highly effective nonprofit in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties – Central Florida Health Care – seeks to address this crisis as well as many other needs. Started on a small scale just over 50 years ago to help fill health care gaps in the migrant worker and agricultural community, the organization now staffs 15 sites and employs almost 500 people in an ever-increasing effort to address medical, dental and related needs among a broad swath of the rural population.

› Mayo Clinic Jax experts discuss living with cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes problems with breathing and digestion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cystic fibrosis affects about 35,000 people in the United States. People with with the disorder have mucus that is too thick and sticky, which blocks airways and leads to lung damage; traps germs and makes infections more likely; and decreases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

› Former St. Petersburg deputy mayor to lead Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete
Former St. Petersburg deputy mayor Kanika Tomalin was named today as the new CEO and president of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete. Tomalin’s eight-year stint as the city’s No. 2 under Mayor Rick Kriseman included four years as city administrator. She will join the nonprofit in June when she will step down from her current position as Eckerd College’s chief operating officer and vice president for strategy.

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