Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Florida's Medical Malpractice Shield Law Stays In Place
Fresh Take Florida: A Senate Panel Leaves Florida Doctors Shielded From Medical Malpractice Suits
Florida’s Senate has effectively abandoned bipartisan efforts to overturn what critics have derided as the state’s “free kill” law, which generally prevents families from filing medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors or hospitals when the victims are adults. Consumers said the decision in the Republican-controlled Legislature improperly shields negligent doctors. It represents a victory for doctors and hospitals in Florida – and the state Chamber of Commerce – who said the current limits in the law keep their malpractice insurance premiums affordable. Similar efforts to overturn the law failed in the Legislature last year, too. (Hernandez De La Cruz, 2/10)
Miami Herald: State Complaint V. Miami FL Plastic Surgeon Dr. Randy Miller
The care of a patient with a bleeding nose was the subject of a Florida Department of Health administrative complaint filed last week against Miami Dr. Randy Miller. An administrative complaint starts the process toward potential discipline by the state Board of Medicine. Miller’s online Department of Health profile says he’s been licensed in Florida since May 9, 2000 with no previous discipline issues. The American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) both say he’s board certified in those specifications. (Neal, 2/10)
In other news from across the U.S. —
AP: Bill Seeks To Limit Out-Of-Pocket Spending On Insulin
A bill aimed at addressing the rising cost of prescription drugs, including limiting out-of-pocket spending on insulin for those trying to control their diabetes, was approved Thursday by the Massachusetts Senate on a 39-1 vote. Twenty-one other states already cap co-payments for insurance. The bill would eliminate deductibles and coinsurance and permanently cap co-pays at $25 for a 30-day supply of insulin. (LeBlanc, 2/10)
The CT Mirror: Prescription Drug Cap Among Lamont's Planned Health Care Reforms
Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled a package of health care proposals Thursday aimed at increasing accessibility, promoting primary care and curbing the cost of medication. The governor revived a measure that was unsuccessful last year — capping the annual cost of prescription drugs at the rate of inflation, plus 2%. Lamont’s proposal last year would have fined drug manufacturers that exceeded that amount. The bill died after it received substantial pushback from drug makers in Connecticut, including Pfizer, whose COVID-19 vaccination has gone into hundreds of thousands of residents’ arms. (Carlesso, 2/10)
AP: Health Advocates Fighting Plan To Cut Indiana's Vaping Tax
Anti-smoking advocates are arguing against a proposal that would reduce Indiana’s new tax on electronic cigarettes before it even takes effect. The proposal approved by the Republican-dominated state Senate last month would cut the 25% tax charged to wholesalers for closed-system cartridges such as Juul devices to 15%. The Legislature approved the higher rate last year for Indiana’s first tax on vaping devices to start July 2022. (2/10)
The Courier-Journal: Kentucky Bill Banning Transgender Girls From Girls Teams Advances
Fischer Wells is, in her mom’s words, not the greatest field hockey player. Her team at Westport Middle School loses more games than it wins, her mom, Jenifer Alonzo, told the Senate Education Committee Thursday. Her limited athletic career shows no evidence of a biological advantage, her dad, Brian, added. Her strengths lay more in being a good teammate, Brian continued. When Westport’s team struggled to field a team, Fischer’s presence allowed the team to have enough players to play. But under proposed legislation in Kentucky, she wouldn’t be allowed to play with her teammates. Because Fischer, 12, is transgender, Senate Bill 83 would mean she couldn’t play on a “girls” team. (Field hockey isn't offered as a boys' sport.) (Krauth, 2/10)
Oklahoman: Oklahoma Report: Cannabis Program Exploding But Enforcement Lagging
As Gov. Kevin Stitt and state lawmakers look to beef up enforcement of Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry, a legislative watchdog office says the state's cannabis program is the "most accessible" in the nation. Oklahoma has more growers and dispensaries than any other state while also having the greatest percentage of licensed medical marijuana patients, according to a Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency report released Thursday. But the report found the state's ability to regulate medical cannabis has not kept pace with rapid growth in the industry. (Forman, 2/11)
