Hurricane Irma Dominates Water Policy Discussions
Hurricane Irma hung over an annual gathering of state and industry officials discussing water policy.
View ArticleState Lawmakers Making Opioid Abuse Session Priority
Florida Governor Rick Scott is promising to make the opioid crisis a top priority in the coming legislative session.
View ArticleMedical Cannabis Grower Pushes For Edible Marijuana Regulations
The medical marijuana company Surterra Therapeutics is urging state health regulators to take steps to allow edible cannabis treatments. But the roll out for those rules could still be far off on the...
View ArticleLawmakers, Doctors Wrestle With How To Combat Opioid Abuse
Florida’s law enforcement, emergency and mental health workers are struggling to cope with a rising tide of opioid overdoses. Lawmakers are looking for solutions ahead of the coming year’s legislative...
View ArticleLawmakers Push For Fracking Ban
State lawmakers are pushing to ban fracking in the sunshine state. A similar effort last year failed, but Sen. Dana Young (R-Tampa) believes this year will be different.
View Article'No Wrong Door' Measure Making Headway But More Work To Do
Florida House lawmakers are checking in on a 2016 measure meant to improve mental health and addiction treatment.
View ArticleHealth, Law Enforcement Officials Highlight Medication Assisted Treatments To...
Substance abuse experts and law enforcement officers are calling on lawmakers to bolster access to treatment for people battling opioid addiction. The biggest focus is on medication assisted treatments.
View ArticleGov. Scott's Opioid Measure Filed In FL House
Florida Governor Rick Scott’s response to the state’s opioid crisis is taking shape in the House.
View ArticleFL Cabinet Approves Lake Okeechobee Area Conservation Easement
The Florida Cabinet has approved a conservation easement in the Lake Okeechobee watershed.
View ArticleWorkers Comp Rates Set To Decline, Labor Group Says Not Far Enough
After spiking last year, worker’s compensation rates in Florida are set to decline. But some labor organizations contend the decrease doesn’t go far enough.
View ArticleRoofers Raise Concerns About Workers Comp Denials For Undocumented Workers
Florida roofers want state insurance regulators to crack down on companies that use a person’s immigration to status to avoid paying workers compensation claims.
View ArticleGOP Senator Highlights Opioid Prescription Limits In Video
The state senator leading the charge on opioid abuse in Florida is leaning heavily on prescription limits in a new YouTube video. Her measure caps most prescriptions at a three day supply.
View ArticleOpioid Emergency Declaration Will Likely Have Limited Impact In Florida
President Donald Trump has declared a nationwide public health emergency for the opioid crisis. But the immediate impact in Florida will be minimal.
View ArticleFL Lawmakers Chide Marijuana Office Over Slow Roll-Out
Floridahealth officials are under fire for the slow implementation of the latest medical marijuanalaw. State lawmakers are rejecting the department's excuses.
View ArticleEMT Working Group Discusses Balance Billing, Ambulance Costs
Complaints from Floridians hit with surprise bills after a ride in an ambulance have the state’s insurance consumer advocate looking for answers. First responders are pointing at insurers.
View ArticleWhy Isn't It Mandatory For Doctors To Use A State Drug Monitoring Database?
The governor and state lawmakers are proposing new prescription limits to fight opioid abuse. But they also want to require physicians use a long-standing drug monitoring database—raising the question,...
View ArticleDoctor Warns Next Report On Opioid Deaths Will Be Staggering
Florida’s medical examiners are warning the death toll from opioids is likely to spike as official data is released. The most recent reporting doesn’t reflect the impact of some of the deadliest...
View ArticleFL Lawmakers Propose Clearing The Path For More Needle Exchange Programs
As opioid abuse rises across the state some lawmakers are pushing to clear the way for more needle exchange programs. Many physicians whole-heartedly support the strategy as a way to reduce the harm of...
View ArticleLawmakers Look For Exceptions As Marriage Prohibition For Minors Nears Approval
Florida lawmakers are on the verge of prohibiting marriage for minors. Identical measures have one committee left in the House and Senate, but some conservative lawmakers want exceptions.
View ArticleMedical Examiners Report Sharp Rise In Drug Deaths As Senators Discuss...
The latest figures from Florida’s medical examiners show sharp increases in drug related deaths. Across all substances, 22 percent more Floridians lost their lives in 2016.
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