10 changes that will affect Florida healthcare in 2025
If there’s one issue that affects every Floridian, it’s healthcare. At some point, every Floridian likely will need to see a doctor, fill a prescription, seek emergency medical care, repair a muscle tear or broken bone, or seek treatment for a disease. In 2024, the state experienced developments in healthcare that will likely affect you in 2025. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
See also:
» Here are some big legal issues related to health care we'll be following in 2025
Hurricanes test Florida community health centers' resilience and adaptability
In the aftermath of the 2024 hurricanes, Florida community health centers proved indispensable in disaster response and recovery, providing far more than medical care. The back-to-back blows of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton left many counties reeling, testing the resilience and adaptability of health care providers. [Source: Health News Florida]
Cervical cancer 'completely preventable' disease that's killing about 300 women in Florida each year
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and doctors are urging women to get screened. Unfortunately, many women in our communities do not have health insurance to cover preventative screenings. However, women can still get the medical treatment they need even without insurance. Each year, doctors in the U.S. diagnose more than 14,000 cases of cervical cancer in women, according to the Florida Department of Health. [Source: WPTV]
Flu cases surge in Florida amid lower vaccination rates
As winter rolls on, it seems that just about everyone is getting sick with some sort of virus. The CDC has reported a surge in common cold, flu, and RSV cases. In Florida, flu cases have increased by 75% over the last month, and hospitalizations have followed suit. Doctors are urging people to take precautions to protect themselves this season. [Source: WTVT]
Florida Blue sues federal health agencies over star rating system
The insurer Florida Blue has filed a lawsuit against federal health agencies, arguing that key quality ratings didn’t properly take into account disruptions caused by major flooding in 2023 in Broward County. Florida Blue, formally named Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida, filed the lawsuit Friday in U.S. district court in Washington, D.C., contending that lower federal ratings will cause it to lose tens of millions of dollars and can affect seniors’ enrollment decisions. [Source: News Servicee of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Population growth outpacing health care in Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay area saw a 15% increase in population increase over the last 10 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. During that same time, the region added 1,307 hospital beds or a 9% increase. However, 90% of these were in Hillsborough and Pasco counties alone. In fact, despite population growth in Manatee and Sarasota of 20% and 15%, respectively, both counties saw a decrease in hospital beds over the last decade.
› Miami company plans to establish network of ketamine therapy clinics
NRx Pharmaceuticals subsidiary Hope Therapeutics announced it plans to acquire La Jolla, California-based Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute to serve as the flagship location for a planned network of interventional psychiatry clinics. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Launched this year, Miami-based Hope Therapeutics is a developer of NRX-100, a ketamine drug used to treat suicidal depression.
› Orlando Health names president of new Pasco County hospital
This week Orlando Health announced Chief Executive Officer of Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health, Joe Delatorre, as the president of its new hospital currently under construction in Wesley Chapel. Scheduled to open in 2026 with 102-beds, the hospital will have the capacity to expand to 300 beds and provide emergency and inpatient care for the Pasco County and northern Hillsborough County communities.
› Sarasota Memorial Hospital opens expanded emergency department in Venice
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is expanding to meet increased demand for services in the southern part of Sarasota County. It opened an updated emergency department at its Venice hospital last month that more than doubles capacity for urgent care. The $90 million expansion increases the number of exam rooms from 28 to 61. It also includes four additional resuscitation suites to care for patients with life-threatening conditions, upgraded imaging facilities and a third centrally located CT scanner.