Columns & Blogs
Rebates coming if ACA stays
Paul Gionfriddo writes that if Affordable Care Act stays in place, a lot of consumers will get rebates from insurers, including more than 325,000 in Florida.
Hazing doesn’t typify FAMU band
Ennis Leon Jacobs Jr., a former member of the Florida A&M Marching 100, writes that the only future that the school's marching band can have is one where no tolerance for hazing exists.
Health policy hasn’t made many strides in past 25 years
Paul Gionfriddo writes that presidents and presidential candidates have long taken confused and confusing positions on health policy. And Obama and Romney are no different.
Myth-busting her own disease
Andrea Torres, chronicling her breast cancer experiences, writes that the rumors, e-mails and bogus stories about causes, miracle cures and treatments are often overwhelming but nothing a "delete" button can't handle.
Floridians don’t care about innocence; they want retribution
Columnist Fred Grimm says Florida's shameful record of sending innocent men to prison should make citizens wary of the death penalty. It doesn't.
Hazing’s not going to go away as long as we tolerate it
Columnist Andrew J. Skerritt writes that state hazing statutes tie the hands of state's attorneys and police, keeping them from prosecuting thugs as the murderous bullies they are.
Out of tragedy, girl’s legacy shines
Sue Carlton writes that after something went horribly wrong during a routine tonsillectomy, the parents of Carly Jane Liptak make sure her memory lives on.
End stigma, increase hope for mental illness
Bob Sharpe, CEO and president of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health, writes that mental illness can happen to anyone, so ending stigma and increasing access to care will help ensure that we all have the opportunity to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Keep trying for ALF reform
The executive director of Families for Better Care writes that the need for reform in the assisted-living industry remains, even though legislators and the governor let it die during the 2012 session.
Many VA patients face delays in mental health care
Paul Gionfriddo writes that where veterans’ mental health is concerned, playing catch-up seems to be the norm at the Veterans Administration. And for William Hamilton, his treatment never seemed to catch up with his disease.
Republicans denounce ‘Obamacare,’ but disagree on alternatives
Joe Paduda writes that now that there's a real possibility that the Supreme Court will overturn some or all of the health law, there's pressure on the GOP to come up with its own plan. But that could be tough.
Look for ‘Monkey Law’ to make its way to FL
Given their recent history, columnist Fred Grimm writes, Florida lawmakers are likely to embrace an anti-evolution law similar to the one enacted in Tennessee.
The face of gun owners is changing
John Romano writes that chances are, someone in your neighborhood carries a gun. And the number of people with a concealed weapon permit is rising, many more of them women.
‘Suspicion-less drug testing’ gets 2 thumbs down
Sue Carlton writes that Gov. Scott thought it a great idea to make people who apply for welfare pee in a cup to prove they were worthy of aid. Well, two judges have decided that it's an unnecessary intrusion
Scott pays lip service to good causes, then yanks funding
Frank Cerabino writes that Gov. Scott has a strange way of supporting causes like rape-crisis centers: He cuts their funds.
Controlling health costs will be ever more painful
Joe Paduda writes that he change from the easily-gamed "usual and customary" system to one based on Medicare is appropriate and necessary. Yes, it's also painful.
Public-health spending: big bang for the bucks
Health consultant Paul Gionfriddo writes that half of the improvement in U.S. mortality rates in recent decades is linked to public-health spending, yet 95% of the dollars in the system go elsewhere.
Simple solution to health care: Never get sick
David Plazas writes that health-care woes seem to be on everyone's mind, regardless of party affiliation. The common ground -- the system is broken as is and needs fixing.
Media rushes to judge Zimmerman
Lloyd Brown writes that the media has tried and convicted and George Zimmerman before it was even determined whether a crime had occurred in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. The time for pontificating will come after the facts are revealed in court.
AIDS isn’t nearly as under control as we might think
Paul Gionfriddo writes that the message of a friend who died of AIDS has resonated with him over the years. He said it didn't matter how he got the disease. What matters is what we can do to prevent others from getting it. And we have not done nearly enough.
The rules in FL: Scared? Shoot
Frank Cerabino writes that U.S. troops in war zones need to obey the military's rules of engagement. In Florida? Not so much.
Prescription-drug addiction: a national crisis
Workers' compensation expert Joe Paduda, a speaker at this week's National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in Orlando, says no other national health issue has as much potential impact on society.
Get rid of mandate; it forces us into broken system
Pierre Tristam, editor of FlaglerLive, writes that the answer to America's health-insurance crisis is to expand Medicare to all.
Even Texas has a saner gun policy than Florida
Columnist Beth Kassab says that even Texas shows a lot more prudence in requiring training for those who apply for concealed weapons permits. In Florida, it's all about convenience. In fact, you can mail-order your license without even setting foot in the Sunshine State.
Make the call, write the note…it’s not too late
Columnist Jan Glidewell writes honestly about his too-long separation from his son and his re-connection at the hour of his son's brave last stand in the fight against cancer.
Anna was homeless, mentally ill. So she was a nuisance.
Health consultant Paul Gionfriddo writes a moving column about a woman who tried to get help from three emergency rooms on the day of her death. Her epitaph could read: "See? I told you I was sick."
Scott’s remarks on health law are rated false
Gov. Rick Scott, like many other Republicans, is calling the Affordable Care Act a "job-killer." There is no evidence for his claim.
Law profs offer opposing views on health law
Two constitutional law scholars, Elizabeth Price Foley of Florida International University and Franita Tolson of Florida State University, offer opposing views on the Affordable Care Act. (Click headline for Foley, click here for Tolson.)
It’s not about the ‘hoodie’
Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. writes that while many questions remain unanswered about the death of Trayvon Martin, his death stems from our culture's assumption that all young black males are dangerous.
Health law helps families like this
Vanessa Mishkit, a nurse in Tampa, tells in a video what it’s like to go up against insurance companies on behalf of her child.
60-Plus’ TV ad on Medicare distorts facts
PolitiFact looked at the commercial that stars Pat Boone railing against "Obamacare," and says it is so misleading it earns the lowest possible rating.
The Marketing of Rachel Hoffman
Radio host Larry Golbom says those who want to legalize drugs have air-brushed the flaws from the young woman who was killed while serving as an informant.
Legislature stole some vital Health Dept. functions
Columnist Paul Gionfriddo says one of the divisions that disappeared is the one that would handle the crisis and clean-up if there were an accident at a nuclear plant.
No more payouts: Smokers should know the risks
Columnist Gary Stein has no patience with dying smokers who sue the tobacco companies.
Stand your ground on pit-bull ban, Miami-Dade
Steven Kurlander writes that, like pythons overpopulating the Everglades, lifting the longtime ban on pit bulls in Miami-Dade County would endanger safety.
Senate DOH bill isn’t much better than House’s version
Consumer health activist Richard Polangin says that while the Senate's version of the Department of Health reorganization isn't as bad as the House's, that's not saying much.
Horror on I-75 could have been prevented
Remember four years ago, when fog and smoke combined to kill four and injure 38 on I-4? FAMU Assistant Professor Andrew Skerritt says that lesson was ignored.
Public health will be crippled if Rep. Hudson has his way
Health consumer advocate Richard Polangin says the Department of Health reorganization bill will strip funding away from vital disease-fighting efforts.
Florida victory on health law would have unintended effect
Health consultant Paul Gionfriddo writes that if Florida wins its suit against the health law, which expands insurance through individual and state action, a federal system will be more likely down the road.
Medicaid growth ‘will bankrupt our state’
Liz Dudek, secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, argues that Medicaid's method of paying hospitals must change.
Democrats’ Medicare warning called ‘biggest lie’ of 2011
Florida-based PolitiFact says its "Lie of the Year" goes to Democrats for grossly exaggerating the impact of a proposed Medicare voucher program. This is the third year in a row that the big lie involved health politics.
Grandma and the Big Bad SGR
Florida medical groups are encouraging members to share a video with patients that explains the Medicare "SGR" pay cut for physicians in extremely simple terms.
Saddest city? Give me a break
Columnist Robert Trigaux pokes fun at Men's Health magazine for proclaiming St. Petersburg the nation's saddest city, closely followed by a bunch of other Florida towns, based on suicide rates and anti-depressant use.
Homeless kids abound in Disney’s shadow
Scott Maxwell says CBS' 60 minutes show on Florida's hordes of homeless children showed the dark side of embracing a cheap-wage economy.
Solution to cost crisis: Pay some doctors NOT to practice
David Kibbe and Brian Klepper write that Instead of trying to reform the whole system, let’s root out the bad apples and create a "physician fallow" program.
JJ. was a kid worth saving, but how?
Columnist Sue Carlton remembers when a fifth-grader accused of armed robbery was given a second chance to turn around, in a new family. It should have worked. Why didn't it?
Health district rejects free land, buys $4M parcel
Stacey Singer questions why the taxpayer-funded Palm Beach County Health Care District turned down free land for the state's nursing home and bought a $4 million property owned by the district's real-estate agent.
Environmentalists win victory on fertilizer bans
Nursing-home care at risk
Backing away from the MRSA crisis
Health care reform package a major step forward for U.S.
Florida KidCare is key to kids’ health, our state’s future
Keep hope alive: Fund cancer research
Brit says: Congratulations on health reform! About time
Why does Florida allow pseudoscience?
How you can be a better patient
Obama’s private doctor army? Really?
Elder-care housing must improve ratings to compete
Health care bill of rights needed
A child’s life could depend on you
‘We are the people’s health care system’
Strength through advocacy
Health law will be costly for Floridians
Medicare recipients know they’ll pay
McCollum exaggerates Medicaid burden
Price, politics propel GOP rush to transform Medicaid
At end of life, somebody decides, but are they right?
Priest was protected, not the children
How the health-care law will affect you
State workers wear a bull’s eye
Don’t hurt those with kidney disease
Greer scandal shows GOP cares about coverage: their own
Heath reform galvanizes both left and right
Mica-Kosmas duel on health care legislation
Red light or green light for traffic cameras?
Pay cuts to doctors will hurt seniors
FDA policies threaten innovative drugs
AARP explains its support of health-reform bill
GOP, condemn the violence
Florida tried to reform health care and flopped
Looking for humor in the health-care debate
Newt should know better
Health reform has champs, chumps
When will we know if health reform worked?
Taking health care reform to next step
How much is that lawsuit costing Florida?
He has a healthy interest in our votes
This bill is truly bad
Medicare was bitterly opposed at first
McCollum’s health-care suit: savvy or risky?
Health bill scores A- on cost containment
Grayson makes cable TV host look like a fool
Diabetes Alert Day: Are you at risk?
Legislature eyes Medicaid Reform, Part B
Florida’s coming Medicaid crisis
Nelson’s stunt to woo seniors flops
Medicare will be stronger
Gays want to be heard? pack heat
Medicaid managed care fails to deliver
Health-care debate lurches to a bizarre conclusion
Public health will be crippled if Rep. Hudson has his way
Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Collier County) is advocating legislation that would seriously weaken Florida's public health infrastructure and preventive health programs.
His bill, CS/HB 1263, makes unnecessary and counterproductive changes to DOH's administrative structure by deleting the Division of Environmental Health, which oversees septic tanks, drinking water from private wells, and radiation control, and scatters these programs among other divisions, such as Emergency Management, that do not have a focus on the environment. Lost would be over 40 years of synergy and expertise that made the Environmental Health division one of DOH's most effective.
Further, the bill removes county health departments from DOH purview and places them under county commissions. Counties would then receive "block grant" funding. This strategy has been used time and time again to reduce funding under the pretext that block grant funding gives greater flexibility. Nothing could be further from the truth in this situation.
County health departments are free under current law to design public health programs locally to fit the needs of their communities. For example, some counties provide clinical primary care services, others do not. Tobacco prevention programs vary, as do chronic disease prevention programs.
The bill intentionally removes statutory authority for DOH to conduct epidemiological research in areas other than communicable disease by repealing a statute that gives DOH authority to conduct epidemiological research for all diseases of public health significance.
Communicable diseases are not the leading causes of death. The leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory disease. DOH needs the authority to conduct epidemiological research for all diseases of public health significance, as current law allows.
Also very worrisome is that the bill repeals numerous chronic disease prevention programs which are a core function of public health. Preventive health programs targeted to reducing obesity, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, stroke and cancer would no longer be authorized by statute. DOH would no longer have statutory authority for Healthy Communities, Healthy People programs which encourage good nutritional practices, exercise and other healthy behaviors..
The Florida Public Interest Research Group's Health Care Advisory Committee is unanimous in recommending that Rep. Hudson's bill be defeated. The advisory committee consists of distinguished public health leaders, including Dr. E. Charlton Prather, whom the Department of Health's administrative building in Tallahassee is named after, and two former Secretaries of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, where DOH's programs were previously located.
Public health is a core responsibility of government along with education and public safety. The economic downturn has increased the need for the services that DOH and its public health partners provide. The Legislature should be looking for ways to strengthen public health, thus increasing the health and well being of society.
Massive invasive surgery could not fix Rep. Hudson's bill. The best place for it is the morgue.
Richard Polangin is the Health Care Policy Coordinator for the Florida Public Interest Research Group
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