Florida Trend Exclusive
Behavioral health: Alternative to jail
Later this year or possibly early next year, a new facility will open that’ll be the first of its kind in the state. The Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery will offer psychiatric treatment and a range of other services to stabilize people with serious mental illnesses who keep revolving through the criminal justice system at great cost to taxpayers. Other places in Florida will be watching closely to see how well it works — or if it works. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida prioritizing health care in 2024-2025 budget
This year’s legislative session flew under the banner of “Live Healthy," the name given to four prioritized initiatives to help grow Florida’s health care workforce, increase access and incentivize innovation. So, it’s no surprise that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ $116.5 billion budget for fiscal 2024-25, signed Wednesday in Tampa, weighed heavily in that direction. More from Health News Florida and WCJB.
A federal judge blocks a Florida law that restricts transgender health care
A federal court has blocked Florida from enforcing a law that bans gender-affirming care, specifically puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy, for minors and restricts it for adults. The block also pertains to related rules from the Florida's medical boards. The ruling comes six months after a three-day trial for Doe v. Ladapo in which the court heard testimony from experts in psychiatry, endocrinology, medical ethics and pediatric medicine. More from WUSF and the Tampa Bay Times.
Enrollment in Florida's Medicaid program drops another 36,000 in May
Enrollment in Florida’s Medicaid program continued to drop in May, with 4.423 million people receiving health care through the system, according to newly posted data on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website. The May total was down from 4.459 million in April and continued decreases that began in spring 2023 with the end of a federal public health emergency that had been declared during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Source: News Service of Florida]
What does the Supreme Court's mifepristone decision mean for Florida?
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously preserved access to mifepristone, a medication that was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the country last year. In Florida, the Supreme Court decision means using the pill remains legal – up to six weeks of pregnancy. That’s when all abortions in the state are banned under the 2023 Heartbeat Protection Act, which went into effect May 1. [Source: Health News Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Clinic at Tampa port to expand health care access for ‘hidden’ industry
Working on cargo ships can be dangerous, and migrant seafarers rarely seek medical care, research says. They work under temporary contracts and some fear that their employers won’t hire them for another voyage if they get injured and incur health care expenses. A new clinic at Port Tampa Bay aims to expand access to treatment for seafarers.
› The crisis of low testosterone and what South Florida doctors advise patients
Men’s testosterone levels have been declining over the last few decades, and no one knows exactly why. But South Florida doctors and researchers offer new ways to combat the problem. A simple blood test — at home or in a lab — can reveal whether testosterone levels are low. South Florida doctors say they now have many options to raise testosterone levels: shots, gels, patches, and more recently, pills.
› FSCJ, Jacksonville University lose state grants for nursing programs
Among the about $960 million of line-items in the Legislature-approved state budget that were vetoed June 12 by Gov. Ron DeSantis were two grants totaling nearly $6 million intended to enhance nursing education at Florida State College at Jacksonville and Jacksonville University. Despite the loss of resources, both institutions plan to continue enhancing health care education.
› Florida Blue may no longer be accepted at Baptist Health facilities if agreement can’t be reached by end of September
Florida’s largest health insurer may no longer be accepted at Baptist Health facilities, leaving many wondering if their doctor’s visits will cost them substantially more. Florida Blue Insurance is undergoing contract negotiations with Baptist Health. If the parties can’t reach an agreement on a new contract before October, Baptist Health would be considering out-of-network for thousands of patients.