Court: Florida can't claw back payments for pre-approved hospital care for undocumented immigrants
In a ruling that could have widespread ripple effects for hospitals across the state, a Tallahassee appeals court has blocked the state from clawing back Medicaid payments from hospitals that provided state pre-authorized emergency health care to undocumented immigrants. The ruling upholds a previous decision on claw backs the court made in 2019 in a case known as Gulf Coast Medical Center versus the Agency for Health Care Administration. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Could Amendment 3's failure boost medical marijuana in Florida?
Nearly 56 percent of Florida voters supported a measure that would have allowed recreational use of marijuana for adults, but that wasn’t enough to push the proposed constitutional amendment over the finish line. The failure of Amendment 3 on Tuesday’s ballot raises questions about the future of the medical marijuana industry in a state with more cannabis patients than any other in the nation but where some operators have struggled to gain a foothold. [Source: Health News Florida]
What’s next for abortion access in Florida
Now that a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion access in Florida’s constitution has been defeated, hundreds of volunteers and organizers across the state face the difficult question: What’s next? Will Floridians of childbearing age continue to live under a six-week abortion ban indefinitely? Could restrictions on abortion become even tighter in the state? [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
HHS watchdog calls for tighter scrutiny of Medicare Advantage home visits
A new federal watchdog audit is ratcheting up pressure on government officials to crack down on billions of dollars in overcharges linked to Medicare Advantage home visits. But so far, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has rejected a recommendation from the Health and Human Services Inspector General to limit payments stemming from house visits that don’t result in any medical treatment — a potential red flag that may signal overcharges. [Source: WUSF]
Lobbying for Ladapo: DeSantis wants to see Florida Surgeon General head U.S. health agency
Gov. Ron DeSantis last week endorsed his own controversial State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo for a top health care position in the next Trump administration. DeSantis hired Ladapo, who had been on the medical school faculty of the University of California at Los Angeles, to take over Florida’s Department of Health in September 2021. The DOH secretary doubles as state surgeon general and Ladapo also fills a position at the University of Florida. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Bay area health care providers join Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health
Over 70 Orlando Health physicians practicing under the Bayfront Health Medical Group umbrella in St. Petersburg will become part of Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health. Combining to one brand brings together a network of medical professionals throughout the Tampa Bay area. The expanded medical group includes more than 500 providers in Pasco, Hillsborough and now Pinellas counties.
› UCF bringing unique 'space medicine' curriculum to Central Florida's growing space hub
Central Florida is already an important and growing hub for humanity's efforts to thrive in outer space. The University of Central Florida now wants to bolster that by developing one-of-a-kind "space medicine" programs for students at the College of Medicine.
› Jury awards woman $25M after HCA Citrus hospital delayed reporting of sexual abuse
The 2021 case is the latest in the hospital’s history of sexual abuse, including one so infamous that it led to a new state law to protect patients. The abuse of Lenna Ray has reignited concerns over patient safety and the hospital’s protocols for dealing with allegations of abuse by staffers. HCA Florida Citrus Hospital is part of HCA Healthcare, a for-profit company that operates more than 40 health centers across the state, including 15 in Tampa Bay. The level of abuse uncovered at both the criminal and civil trials at the Citrus facility was shocking.
› Veterans from North Florida long-term care centers take flight to honor their service
As a "thank you" for their service, five veterans with a long legacy of service and sacrifice got the chance to bring the past to the present in a restored 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane. This opportunity, in advance of Veterans Day, was held in partnership between the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) and Dream Flights, a nonprofit organization that provides free 15-minute flights to veterans across the United States.