An advocacy effort that aims to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income Floridians is gaining support throughout the state. Florida is one of only 10 states that has not expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act to adults ages 19-64 with income under 138% of the federal poverty level. But a new poll shows … Read more
Pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) business practices are hindering pharmacists’ abilities to provide needed medications for Floridians, according to Dr. Kevin Duane, owner of Panama Pharmacy in Jacksonville. Duane is one of many pharmacy owners who have testified in support of Senate Bill 1550, which aims to save Floridians money on prescription drugs by regulating PBMs. … Read more
The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) is taking several measures to spread awareness about the upcoming Medicaid eligibility redeterminations process. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ends the continuous Medicaid coverage provision on March 31st, and is linked to the federal public health emergency (PHE), which is also coming to an end. The Department of Children … Read more
When the federal public health emergency (PHE) was put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida received additional funding from the federal government under the condition that the state provides continuous Medicaid coverage and does not disenroll beneficiaries. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ends the continuous coverage provision on March 31st, … Read more
Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced plans for $205.7 million from the Opioid Settlement Agreement on Feb. 17th. The funds will focus on implementing strategies and expanding programs in Florida communities with evidence-based practices, including the CORE Network. “We want to stop illicit drugs from entering our state, hold dealers accountable, educate … Read more
Physicians at AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division are now administering the world’s first treatment to delay the onset of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) as part of the TrialNet studies. TZIELD, or teplizumab-mzwv, is the first FDA-approved drug in the country to delay the onset of stage 3 T1D in adults, and patients who are eight years … Read more
The board of directors of Florida’s High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) held an emergency meeting on Thursday after receiving backlash about a drafted pre-participation examination form, which proposed mandatory menstrual information for student athlete participation. Board members voted 14-2 to approve the motion to accept the new pre-participation examination form. “From issues with this ruling … Read more
The 2023 application cycle for the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program was launched on Feb. 2nd. The program provides medical education loan debt relief to healthcare professionals who are practicing in less populated areas of the state. The FRAME program was established in 2002. Last July, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s … Read more
On Jan. 17th, Florida’s Senate Committee on Health Policy received a presentation about the successes of Senate Bill 1222 as it relates to acute and post-acute hospital care in the home setting. The bill passed last summer. Under SB 1222, hospital pharmacies are authorized to dispense medications to hospital-at-home patients, and authorized paramedics to provide … Read more
On Feb. 1st, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his Framework for Freedom Budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which includes major investments in cancer research and behavioral healthcare. The Framework for Freedom budget totals $114.8 billion, and primary focuses include expanding the economy, restoring the environment, and maintaining health reserves to respond to natural disasters. … Read more