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Category archives for: Health Care Business

Federal Judge Strikes Down Entire Affordable Care Act, Putting Law In Peril–Again

FlaglerLive | December 15, 2018

Judge Reed C. O’Connor struck down the law, siding with Republican state attorneys general to say the tax bill passed by Congress last December effectively rendered the entire health law unconstitutional.

In Health Insurance Wastelands, Rosier Options Crop Up For 2019

FlaglerLive | November 25, 2018

Across all 50 states, premiums for the average “benchmark” silver plan, which the government uses to set subsidies, are dropping nearly 1 percent.

Florida Hospital Flagler Will Open Stand-Alone ER Near Matanzas High School and I-95

FlaglerLive | November 20, 2018

The future AdventHealth’s 12-bed stand-alone ER represents a $25 million investment in north palm Coast and the addition of some 40 jobs near Matanzas High School as that part of town grows.

Voters in 3 Red States Approve Obamacare’s Medicaid Expansion, Bringing Total to 36

FlaglerLive | November 13, 2018

Florida under Gov. Rick Scott repeatedly blocked Medicaid expansion, which provides benefits to all adults earning up to 38 percent above the federal poverty line, an annual income of $16,753 or less.

Ex-Dr. Fruehan Claims Statute of Limitations Elapsed in Charge of Inappropriate Touching, But Dates May Not Be On His Side

FlaglerLive | October 22, 2018

Florence Fruehan, the former Palm Coast physician accused of inappropriately touching a woman during a consultation at his office, will argue in court that the misdemeanor battery charge against him should be dismissed because the statutes of limitations has passed.

Between Frittatas, Colonoscopies and Rebranding at Florida Hospital Flagler

FlaglerLive | September 27, 2018

Wally deAquino, Dean Abtahi and Issam Nasr, physicians at Florida Hospital Flagler, headlined a Common Ground breakfast this morning at Palm Coast’s Hilton.

Avoidable Sepsis Infections Send Thousands Of Nursing Home Seniors To Gruesome Deaths

FlaglerLive | September 10, 2018

No one tracks sepsis cases closely enough to know how often these severe infections turn fatal. But the toll — both human and financial — is enormous, an investigation finds.

The $109,000 Heart Attack Bill Is Down To $332. What About Other Surprise Bills?

FlaglerLive | September 4, 2018

The hospital that overcharged a teacher cut the bill not before the huge charge sparked a national conversation over what should be done to combat surprise medical bills afflicting a growing number of Americans.

Obamacare Participants in Florida Will See Lowest Premium Increase In 8 Years

FlaglerLive | August 30, 2018

The rate increases are some of the lowest ever requested by Florida insurance companies since the federal health law passed in 2010.

McCain’s Complicated Health Care Legacy: Hating Obamacare Long Enough to Save It.

FlaglerLive | August 26, 2018

While McCain was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, most of the health initiatives he undertook failed after running afoul of traditional Republican priorities.

Obamacare Out of ICU: Health Insurance Premiums Are Stabilizing Despite GOP Attacks

FlaglerLive | August 25, 2018

The improvements stem from less political uncertainty over health policy, steeper than necessary increases this year, and better understanding of the markets.

Dr. Fruehan Will Surrender License, Quitting Medicine in Face of Allegation of Sexual Improprieties With Patient

FlaglerLive | August 23, 2018

Palm Coast physician Florence Fruehan will surrender his license ahead of the conclusion of a state investigation into allegations that he groped a female patient. He is also under local sheriff’s investigation.

Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin Sales Pitch Downplayed Risks Of Opioid Addiction

FlaglerLive | August 19, 2018

More than 1,500 pending civil lawsuits, filed mostly by state and local governments, allege that deceptive marketing claims helped fuel a national epidemic of opioid addiction and thousands of overdose deaths.

Florida Hospital Flagler Will Change Name to AdventHealth Palm Coast in Companywide Rebranding

FlaglerLive | August 14, 2018

The change to AdventHealth Palm Coast, by Jan. 2, is part of a company-wide rebranding across all 47 Adventist Health System hospitals and dozens of other facilities in nine states.

America’s Pre-Existing Condition

Pierre Tristam | August 3, 2018

Florida is among the states suing to end the requirement that people with pre-existing conditions be covered by insurers. It’s the latest cynical attempt to end Obamacare.

Florida Hospitals and Halifax Health Named Among 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare

FlaglerLive | April 17, 2018

Adventist Health System, which includes the Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties, was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the top places to work in health care.

Deal Could End Wrangling Over Trauma Centers Around Florida

FlaglerLive | February 16, 2018

The Legislature has wrangled with whether to continue with current regulations or to allow a more competitive environment that would increase the number of trauma facilities.

For All The Talk Of Obamacare Imploding, ACA Enrollment Is “Remarkably Stable”

FlaglerLive | February 12, 2018

ACA plan enrollment ticked downward this year but states running their own marketplaces saw slight gains and did better than those relying on the federal exchange.

Unnecessary Medical Care Is More Common Than You Think

FlaglerLive | February 1, 2018

A study finds that in a single year more than 600,000 patients underwent treatment they didn’t need, at an estimated cost of $282 million. “Do no harm” should include the cost of care, too, the report author says.

Doctors Join Chorus Against Limits on Painkiller Prescriptions, But Lawmakers Push On

FlaglerLive | January 23, 2018

The proposal to set legal limits on prescribing for pain medication continued moving forward when it was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations Committee.

To Stay on Medicaid, You May Have To Start Working: Trump’s Decision Sparks Fury

FlaglerLive | January 15, 2018

Trump’s decision to allow states to test a work requirement for adult Medicaid enrollees sparked criticism from doctors, advocates for the poor, and minority and disability rights groups.

Limiting Pain Pills Prescriptions To 7 Days? Florida Surgeons Say No.

FlaglerLive | January 11, 2018

Lawmakers’ proposal would have patients get additional prescriptions for pain medications from their doctors. Phoning-in refills would not work.

O Canada: Can a Single-Payer Health-Insurance System Work in the United States?

FlaglerLive | December 28, 2017

American support for government-run, single-payer health care, once a fringe opinion, is picking up momentum, with doctors and patients increasingly supportive,

Despite Compressed Sign-Up Period, ACA Enrollment Nearly Matches Last Year’s

FlaglerLive | December 27, 2017

A day after Trump said the Affordable Care Act “has been repealed,” 8.8 million Americans had signed up for coverage on the federal insurance exchange in 2018.

Overriding Medical Marijuana Users’ Pleas, and Voters, Flagler Commissioners Pass Dispensary Ban

FlaglerLive | December 18, 2017

The 3-1 vote to ban medical marijuana dispensaries outright Monday evening ends a year-long process that saw commissioners zigzag between approval and prohibition.

Assisted Living Facilities Are Challenging Rule Requiring Generator Power in Emergencies

FlaglerLive | December 18, 2017

The Florida Senior Living Association representing 350 assisted living facilities argues the proposed rule creates requirements that are not authorized in state law.

Renner Again at Odds With Local Officials as His Recovery Centers Bill Gains Momentum

FlaglerLive | December 5, 2017

The House version of the bill is co-sponsored by Paul Renner, who represents Flagler, but whose proposal is opposed by Palm Coast government and the local hospital.

Taken For A Ride: Ambulances Stick Patients With Surprise Bills as Insurers Balk

FlaglerLive | November 28, 2017

Ambulance and private insurance companies often can’t agree on a price. That leaves patients stuck in the middle with out-of-network charges that are not negotiated.

Florida’s Opioid Crisis: Thousands of Babies Born to Addicts or Removed From Users’ Homes

FlaglerLive | November 9, 2017

More than 4,000 babies were born addicted to opioids in Florida last year, with a 38 percent increase in the number of children under 5 removed from homes because of drugs.

Palm Coast Opioid Dealer’s Arrest Points Only To Fractional, Street-Level Source of Crisis

FlaglerLive | November 8, 2017

Palm Coast’s Joseph Colon, 34, has been in and out of jail and prison over drug dealing for years, but his arrest on heroin and fentanyl trafficking charges masks the much broader, more legal source of the crisis.

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