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Welcome again to Prognosis, a vertical that focuses on the crossroads of well being care coverage and politics.
A bid to extend Florida’s sovereign immunity caps — a transfer being intently adopted by those that run the state’s public hospitals — is now unsure after a plan to tie the laws to a different controversial lawsuit measure encountered stiff resistance in a Home panel.
Rep. Tommy Gregory introduced in the beginning of the Wednesday assembly of the Home Judiciary Committee {that a} revamped model of the sovereign immunity caps invoice sponsored by Rep. Fiona McFarland wouldn’t be thought-about. It was a tacit acknowledgment that the invoice (HB 569) lacked the votes to make it by.
Gregory had instructed merging McFarland’s proposal to double the sum of money that may be collected in lawsuits towards state, native authorities and hospitals to his personal invoice that requires the disclosure of third-party teams who assist bankroll civil lawsuits.
However this effort to hyperlink the 2 payments resulted in growing opposition as supporters of elevating the caps had been unwilling to again the third-party litigation provision, a high precedence of teams such because the Florida Justice Reform Institute.
One supply instructed Prognosis that solely 4 legislators out of 23 on the panel had been prepared to vote for the invoice.
Not surprisingly, Gregory deferred a vote on the invoice.
“Immediately we’re going to be contemplating 19 payments. Sadly, one we’re not going to be listening to, so it’s a really poor Valentine’s reward for you, Rep. McFarland, we is not going to be listening to HB 569. “
After the assembly, Gregory wouldn’t say what number of sure votes he had for the proposal, providing as a substitute: “Politics makes unusual bedfellows.”
Gregory additionally mentioned that whereas the invoice had an uphill battle, no invoice is ever actually lifeless till the Session is over.
However even proponents of a crackdown on third-party litigation financing acknowledge it could be “unprecedented” for a invoice that had been deferred thrice for lack of assist to make it throughout the end line.
I welcome your suggestions, questions and particularly your suggestions. You may e mail me at [email protected] or name me at 850-251-2317.
— Most cancers funding modifications —
Be ready for one more spherical of modifications to how the state supplies lots of of hundreds of thousands of most cancers funding {dollars} to well being care suppliers.
Whereas Gov Ron DeSantis and First Girl Casey DeSantis introduced awards for most cancers innovation applications throughout the state on the Governor’s Mansion Wednesday contained in the partitions of the Capitol the Governor’s employees is engaged on modifications to how the Casey DeSantis Most cancers Funding Analysis Program will function going ahead.
At press time, there was no proposed invoice or modification filed containing any of the modifications sought by the Governor’s Workplace.
However a Feb. 23 2023 press launch could maybe be a harbinger of issues to come back. Casey DeSantis introduced within the launch preliminary members of the Most cancers Join Collaborative (CCC): Rep. Sam Garrison; Dr. Nicholas Panetta, a school member on the College of South Florida Well being; Dr. Raj Bendre, a radiation oncologist at Tallahassee Memorial Most cancers Heart; Dr. Scot Ackerman, a radiation oncologist and Medical Director on the Ackerman Most cancers Heart in Jacksonville; Dr. Mehmet Hepgur, a Hematology/Oncology specialist at Broward Well being; State Surgeon Common Dr. Joseph Ladapo; and Company for Well being Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida.
Value noting: there at present aren’t any representatives on the CCC from the 4 Nationwide Most cancers Institute (NCI) designated services: Moffitt Most cancers Heart, The College of Miami Sylvester Complete Most cancers, UF Well being Most cancers Heart, or Mayo Clinic Complete Most cancers Heart.
It’s not clear whether or not the Governor’s Workplace will embody them as members.
The press launch additionally notes that the CCC will likely be charged with creating a funding system to unfold the wealth on the subject of the suppliers that obtain funds from the Casey DeSantis Most cancers Funding Analysis Program.
At present, these {dollars} are devoted to the 4 NCI-designated facilities. The financing modifications wouldn’t take impact till the 2025-26 price range.
That is the second time in as a few years that the Legislature has tackled cancer funding as part of budget negotiations.
— Garrison, Gayle on most cancers —
Garrison, chair of the highly effective Home well being care spending committee, instructed Florida Politics that the Home’s most cancers funding insurance policies aren’t static.
“The Home particularly and the Legislature on the whole has been very aggressive in our funding of most cancers analysis. That’s not going to cease. I believe one of many questions we’re going to be this 12 months and within the years to come back is what’s the finest utilization of these funds. The right way to get the perfect ROI (return on funding). And that’s an open dialog,” Garrison mentioned.
“I don’t have a look at it as a adverse or optimistic. It’s simply, we wish to have the perfect system of look after most cancers sufferers within the southeastern United States. I’m very captivated with rural well being care. We wish to ensure no person’s getting left behind as a part of that course of.”
However does making certain nobody will get left behind imply much less for the 4 services at present receiving the funds?
“It’s not a zero-sum recreation,” Garrison mentioned. “However with that mentioned, we will’t print our personal cash, so we’ve a hard and fast quantity of funds we’re capable of deploy in anybody given price range 12 months, so you understand, you simply type of do the perfect you’ll be able to.”
Harrell instructed Florida Politics she was nonetheless digesting a Division of Well being report however that most cancers points have “come to the forefront” in latest Periods.
“I haven’t made up my thoughts as to what’s occurring but. I would like to essentially get an in-depth understanding of what that report is saying, and definitely, the extra analysis we’ve within the state of Florida, the higher. “
— Headed to the Home flooring —
Rep. Randy Fantastic’s push to require impartial hospital districts throughout the state to review whether or not they need to dump their property to a non-public firm or transition to a non-profit group is now headed to the total Home.
The Home State Affairs Committee voted to advance the invoice Wednesday alongside celebration traces. A number of Democrats on the panel mentioned they had been involved that the laws didn’t require the research of hospital operations to have a look at whether or not or not such providers ought to be supplied by publicly owned services.
“They aren’t run to generate profits. They’re public hospitals,” mentioned Rep. Anna Eskamani. “The proposal is the 1st step to privatization.”
Rep. Felicia Robinson mentioned the choice to guage whether or not or not hospital districts ought to not function below public possession ought to be left as much as the native districts. There are 26 impartial hospital districts within the state.
However Fantastic blasted the opponents of the invoice, saying they had been performing on behalf of high public hospital officers who don’t wish to examine whether or not to transform their operations. He argued that many high public hospital executives had been making extreme salaries though he declined to offer an inventory of the salaries.
“Can we consider in information or can we not?” Fantastic mentioned. “When you worry the reply to the query, it is best to worry the entity in cost.”
Fantastic did make one change to his laws earlier than the ultimate vote. Hospital districts that had performed an analysis of their monetary operations within the final ten years wouldn’t need to comply with the invoice necessities.
— Stroll, run or ruck —
The Florida Well being Care Affiliation helps sponsor the “Race for Our Heroes 5K” with Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez.
The race is slated for 8 a.m. on Feb. 24 8 a.m. at Tom Brown Park.
“We’re grateful to have the Lt. Governor becoming a member of us to kick off the race, which is a run, stroll or ruck occasion that may profit the Florida Veterans Basis and Florida veterans in want,” FHCA mentioned in a press release offered to Florida Politics.
Along with the race, the occasion will function begin and end line actions on the Lake Leon Playground Pavilion at Tom Brown Park, which is positioned off Conner Boulevard.
“Deliver the household and your four-legged buddies to run, stroll or ruck with us and assist honor Florida’s army Veterans, first responders and their Okay-9s,” occasion organizers mentioned.
These wishing to compete within the 5K should register. The pre-registration value is $25 and the primary 100 folks to register will obtain a T-shirt. On-site registration prices $35.
Problem Cash will likely be awarded to the highest three male/feminine runners, walkers, ruckers and Okay-9s.
— 12 CON Functions —
AHCA authorized seven CON functions for brand new nursing houses and intermediate care services for the developmentally disabled and denied one other 5 functions. The next functions had been authorized:
—Marion Operations CON for a brand new 103-bed neighborhood nursing dwelling;
—Dawn Group’s CON for a brand new four-bed ICFDD in Hillsborough County and the de-licensure of 4 beds from Dawn Group’s 120-bed ICF/DD in Maimi Dade County;
—Dawn Group’s CON for a brand new four-bed ICFDD in Hillsborough County and the de-licensure of 4 beds from Dawn Group’s 120-bed ICF/DD in Maimi Dade County;
—Dawn Group’s CON for a brand new four-bed ICFDD in Hillsborough County and the de-licensure of 4 beds from Dawn Group’s 120-bed ICF/DD in Maimi Dade Depend;y
—Brevard Operations CON for brand new 90-bed neighborhood nursing dwelling in Brevard County
—Mercy Heart OPCO, CON for 5 neighborhood nursing dwelling beds in Miami Dade by the switch of 5 beds from North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Heart; and
—Okeechobee SNF Operations D/b/a Okeechobee Well being Care Facility CON so as to add neighborhood nursing dwelling beds.
The next functions had been denied:
—Dawn Group CON to determine a brand new four-bed ICF/DD in Hillsborough County by de-licensure and switch of 4 beds from Dawn Group, 120-bed Miami-Dade ICF/DD;
—Dawn Group CON to determine a brand new four-bed ICF/DD in Hillsborough County by de-licensure and switch of 4 beds from Dawn Group, 120-bed Miami-Dade ICF/DD;
—Dawn Group’s CON to determine a brand new four-bed ICF/DD in Hillsborough County by de-licensure and switch of 4 beds from Dawn Group, 120-bed Miami-Dade ICF/DD
—HSP Mid Florida’s CON for a brand new 111-bed neighborhood nursing dwelling in 111-bed neighborhood nursing dwelling in Martin County.
—Martin Coast Opco’s CON so as to add 22 neighborhood nursing dwelling beds at Martin Coast Heart for Rehabilitation and Healthcare
— RULES —
The Board of Scientific Social Work, Marriage and Household Remedy and Psychological Well being Counseling has withdrawn Guidelines 64B4-3.001 4B4-3.0015 and 64B4-2.0025.
— LOBBYISTS —
Jon Hoffman: American Kidney Fund
Travis Cummings, Oak Methods: Precision Healthcare
Doug Holder, The Legis Group: ARC Broward, Chapters Well being House Join, LifeStream Behavioral Heart, Love Serving Autism, Sarasota Memorial Well being Care System, Suncoast Communities Blood Financial institution, Virtus Well being
Nick Iarossi, Capital Metropolis Consulting: Precision Healthcare
Earl Jones Jr., The Fiorentino Group: Group Hospice of Northeast Florida
Anna Grace Lewis, Metz Husband & Daughton: Nationwide Affiliation of Social Staff Florida Chapter
Marnie George, Johnson & Blanton: AdventHealth
— ETC —
—U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Darren Soto are working throughout the aisle to avoid wasting lives. The Palm Harbor Republican and Kissimmee Democrat launched the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act to direct funding by the Well being and Human Companies Division for analysis and consciousness.
—AHCA authorized the next expedited CON transfers his week: from PruittHealth Citrus Hills to PruittHealth Citrus County; from PruittHealth Viera to PuittHealth Brevard County; and from PuittHealth Windermere to PruittHealth Orange County.
—The trauma middle at HCA Florida Blake Hospital has been verified as a Stage II Trauma Heart by the American Faculty of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT), the very best doable designation.
— ROSTER —
Kelly Cullen, the tutorial well being system’s govt vice chairman and chief working officer for Tampa General Hospital (TGH) was named to Becker’s Hospital Overview’s 2024 checklist of “Educational Medical Heart Chief Working Officers to Know.”
Christopher Senkowski, MD, FACS, has been named Director of the Common Surgical procedure Residency Program at Baptist Well being.
— ICYMI —
In case you missed them, here’s a recap of different vital well being care coverage tales lined in Florida Politics this previous week.
“State employees could get free skin cancer screenings” through Christine Jourdan Sexton of Florida Politics — Workers lined by the state group medical health insurance plan could have free entry to annual pores and skin most cancers screenings efficient July 1 below payments which can be transferring by the Legislature. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Setting, and Common Authorities unanimously authorized SB 56. That sends the invoice, filed by Sen. Gayle Harrell, to its final cease on the Senate Appropriations Committee. HB 241 is the companion measure and it’s equivalent to the Senate invoice. The Home measure has cleared two committees and subsequent heads to the Well being & Human Companies Committee.
“Hemp rules keep moving through House. What substances could be banned?” through A.G. Cancarski of Florida Politics — New laws that would put new restrictions on the state’s hemp market continues to maneuver towards the end line, nevertheless it will not be in its closing kind simply but. HB 1613, superior by an 8-4 vote of the Home Agriculture & Pure Assets Appropriations Subcommittee, would crack down on different cannabinoids that function useful alternate options to delta-9 THC, the euphoria-inducing compound commodified by the state’s medical marijuana program.
“Winning bid announced for Medicaid managed care developmental disability pilot program” through Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — Florida Medicaid officers have introduced their intent to award a six-year contract to Florida Group Care because the state exams whether or not managed care might help combine conventional well being care with home- and community-based providers. The choice shouldn’t be closing till Wednesday and will be challenged till then. The Company for Well being Care Administration (AHCA) introduced the contracts for Medicaid Areas D and I. Area D includes Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk counties. Medicaid Area I covers Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
— FOR YOUR RADAR —
Apart from protection by Florida Politics, these tales are value your time.
“Florida’s immigration crackdown is scaring patients away from seeking care” through Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — One in all DeSantis’ most controversial immigration strikes has led to girls shunning mammograms and prenatal care out of worry that they’ll be pressured to disclose their immigration standing. At problem is a brand new Florida regulation requiring hospitals that obtain Medicaid {dollars} to ask sufferers about their immigration standing. Undocumented migrants in Florida are actually steering away from hospitals and clinics, anxious that they’ll be arrested or deported, in line with 10 immigration advocates, lawmakers and well being care officers.
“Medicated without consent? Collier leaders halt fluoride being added in drinking water” through Liz Freeman of the Naples Every day Information — After three hours of public testimony on the deserves and harms of fluoride being added to the county’s consuming water, the Collier County Fee voted unanimously to finish the apply. The choice was largely based mostly on the county’s Well being Freedom Invoice of Rights ordinance adopted final 12 months to safeguard the well being care freedoms of residents and never impose medical remedy with out their consent. Commissioner Dan Kowal put the problem on the agenda after some folks introduced it to his consideration and what he present in his personal analysis. “So, in actuality, as we sit right here right this moment, we’re in violation of our personal regulation,” Kowal mentioned.
“NCH gets approval for new 87-foot tall heart center at Baker Hospital campus” through Liz Freeman of the Naples Every day Information — The Naples Metropolis Council has authorized rezoning NCH’s Baker Hospital campus for a brand new coronary heart and stroke middle at 87 toes in peak and a brand new 30-foot parking storage. The rezoning of 13.72 acres that encompasses the principle block of the hospital campus from “medical” to town’s “public providers” zoning handed 4 to 1 with Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison casting the lone “no” vote. A companion conditional use utility to permit for the five-story coronary heart middle at 87 toes and different situations handed 3 to 2 with Hutchison and Councilwoman Beth Petrunoff dissenting. A website growth plan handed 4 to 1 with Hutchison voting towards it.
— PENCIL IT IN —
Thursday
It’s Apprenticeship Day on the Capitol.
9 a.m. — The Home Well being & Human Companies Committee meets. It should think about payments associated to pores and skin most cancers screening protection (HB 241), and HIV prevention medication (HB 159). Room 17, Home Workplace Constructing.
9 a.m. — The Senate will maintain a flooring session. Senate chambers.
Midday — The Senate Appropriations Committee meets. It should take up laws (HB 5301) relating to Medicaid supplemental cost applications. Room 110, Senate Workplace Constructing.
Midday — The Senate Fiscal Coverage Committee meets. It should think about greater than 20 payments, together with measures (SB 1512) replated to managed substances and civil legal responsibility for the wrongful demise of an unborn baby (SB 476). Room 412, Knott Constructing.
2 p.m. — The Home will maintain a flooring session. Home chambers.
Friday
Completely happy birthday to Rep. Dan Daley!
10 a.m. — The Home will maintain a flooring session. Home chambers.
Sunday
Completely happy birthday to Rep. Doug Bankson!
Completely happy birthday to Rep. Jenna Individuals-Mulicka!
Tuesday
Completely happy birthday to Rep. Cyndi Stevenson!
Completely happy birthday to Rep. Joe Cassello!
It’s Day One in all ‘Fits for Session.’ Volunteer Florida will likely be accumulating gently worn skilled apparel. 2nd Flooring Rotunda, the Capitol.
10 a.m. — The FX Government Steering Committee (ESC) meets. the Company for Well being Care Administration (AHCA), 2727 Mahan Drive, Constructing 3, Tallahassee,32308-5407, in Convention Rooms A, B, and C. A digital choice will likely be obtainable through Microsoft Groups Webinar. Wednesday
1:30 p.m. — The Senate Appropriations Committee on Well being and Human Companies meets. Room 412, Knott Constructing.
Wednesday
Completely happy birthday to Sen. Jay Trumbull!
It’s Lilly Pulitzer Day on the Capitol.
It’s Day One in all Security Web Hospital Alliance of Florida 2024 Hospital Days on the Capitol.
It’s FAMU ”Boldly Putting” Day on the Capitol.
It’s Day Two of ‘Fits for Session.’ Volunteer Florida will likely be accumulating gently worn skilled apparel. 2nd Flooring Rotunda, the Capitol.
2 p.m. — The Home will maintain a flooring session. Home chambers.
2 p.m. — The Senate will maintain a flooring session. Home chambers.
Prognosis is written by Christine Jordan Sexton and edited by Drew Wilson.
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