Diagnosis: Checking The Pulse Of Florida Healthcare News And Policy

Tampa General Hospital recently completed its first clinical ex vivo lung perfusion procedure, using a system that lets its transplant team assess and improve donor lungs outside the body before transplantation.

The donor lungs presented several complications, including prolonged time without adequate blood flow and oxygen, difficulty fully expanding, a blood clot and an unreported surgical injury. The team used XVIVO’s XPS technology to assess, repair and optimize the lungs before transplanting them into a patient with a rare genetic lung disease. TGH said the recipient is recovering well.

EVLP places donor lungs on a specialized system that provides oxygen, nutrients and a blood-like solution while gently ventilating them. Physicians can monitor lung function in real time, address some problems and determine whether the organs are suitable for transplant.

“EVLP gives us something we have never had before: clarity and confidence,” said Kamal Ayyat, thoracic transplant surgeon and director of Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion at TGH. “Instead of turning down donor lungs because we are uncertain about their condition, we can evaluate them directly, address certain issues and make more informed decisions.”

Haytham Elgharably, surgical director of TGH’s Lung Transplant Program, led the transplant operation. Transplant pulmonologists Purav Shah and Lauryn Benninger assisted with donor-lung recovery, assessment and recipient care. The program’s leadership also includes Satish Chandrashekaran, medical director, and Kiran Dhanireddy, vice president and chief of the TGH Transplant Institute.

“This milestone represents a significant step forward in our ability to help more patients receive the lifesaving transplants they need,” Dhanireddy said. “EVLP gives us the ability to evaluate and potentially recover lungs that previously may have been considered unusable, allowing us to honor the gift of donation while saving more lives.”

— Medical device security —

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is urging federal health officials to prioritize American-made medical devices and drugs, warning that Chinese-made equipment could expose patients’ sensitive health data.

In an Oct. 2 letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, the Senate Special Committee on Aging Chair called for domestic data storage requirements and restrictions on federally funded purchases of Chinese-made equipment.

“No federal funds should ever be used to purchase medical devices or equipment that is manufactured in China when an alternative domestic supplier is available,” Scott wrote.

Scott cited a federal cybersecurity warning about a Contec Medical Systems patient monitor as an example of the risks. According to his letter, the device contained a backdoor that could allow patient data to leak.

He also urged safeguards for purchases through the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, arguing that the money should not expand Chinese manufacturers’ reach into American hospitals.

The push follows Scott’s June request with U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick for a Federal Communications Commission investigation into China-linked smartwatches and fitness trackers.

— Emergency spending —

Mount Sinai Medical Center held a ceremony celebrating a new emergency center in Westchester, and U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar cut the ribbon.

The Coral Gables Republican helped secure $7.65 million for resilience improvements at the medical center, part of nearly $15 million in direct federal investments for healthcare and medical research in South Florida, and said the facility would provide a vital service.

“Quality healthcare has to be both accessible and affordable,” Salazar said. “That means having excellent care close to home, enough doctors to see patients, access to the treatments people need, and costs families can actually afford. I am proud to join Mount Sinai for this important expansion and will continue working across the aisle to strengthen healthcare for South Florida.”

The emergency center, which will accept its first patients in October, is the start of a major site expansion by Mount Sinai, officials said.

“When we broke ground here, we made a commitment to the Westchester community that nationally recognized care was coming. Today, it is here,” said Gino Santorio, Mount Sinai President and CEO.

“Families in this community now have emergency care close to home, with advanced imaging on site so patients get answers during their visit rather than a referral and a second trip. And this is only the beginning. We are grateful to Congresswoman Salazar for standing with us today and for her continued support of Mount Sinai and the patients we serve across South Florida.”

— Senior counsel —

Consumer protection in nursing facilities will take center stage when Florida State University College of Law welcomes 14 law school teams to Tallahassee for the Claude Pepper Elder Law Moot Court Competition Oct. 9-10.

FSU Law is hosting the event for the fourth consecutive year. According to the college, it is the nation’s only moot court competition devoted exclusively to elder law. This year’s competition focuses exclusively on consumer protection issues in nursing facilities.

The competition builds on year-round work at FSU Law’s Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic. Directed by Rima Nathan, it is the state’s sole law school clinic dedicated to senior advocacy, giving students hands-on experience representing low-income clients, conducting community education and advancing policy initiatives. Participants oversee cases involving elder abuse, financial exploitation, consumer protection, advance directives, healthcare decision-making, public benefits, housing and related legal challenges.

“Though the problem students will argue is fictional, it reflects a real and growing issue in elder law practice,” Nathan said. “The competition gives students an opportunity to grapple with those complexities while developing persuasive legal arguments and advocating their positions before experienced attorneys and judges.”

The Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic hosts the competition with support from the AARP Foundation, a philanthropic affiliate of AARP.

“Nursing facility cases reflect the issues AARP Foundation attorneys take on every day to protect residents and their families,” said Louis Lopez, Senior Vice President of AARP Foundation Litigation. “We’re proud to help cultivate a new generation of lawyers who will carry that work forward and stand up for older adults.”

— Screening expands —

The American Cancer Society has added Guardant Health’s Shield blood test to its colorectal cancer screening guideline, the first revision since 2018. Shield, approved by the FDA in July 2024, requires a blood draw at a routine office visit. The ACS recommends it for patients who decline or do not complete a stool-based test or a colonoscopy. A positive result requires a follow-up colonoscopy within six months.

In the ECLIPSE trial, Shield detected 83% of colorectal cancers and 13% of advanced precancerous polyps. Guardant says more than 90% of the first 200,000 patients completed the test.

ACS data show that 66% of Floridians 45 and older are up to date on screening, compared with 69% nationally. Medicare covers Shield with no out-of-pocket cost for traditional beneficiaries. Florida Medicaid covers it for enrollees 45 to 64 under SB 2514, the 2025 conforming bill that requires managed care plans to match Medicare’s coverage.

Guardant launched a national ad campaign Sept. 10 featuring Patrick Dempsey and a wall of names of Americans who died of colorectal cancer. Among them is Tasha Hurst of Lake Mary, a Get Your Rear in Gear Orlando volunteer who died in December, seven years after her diagnosis.

— A bit skeptical —

Artificial intelligence’s role in the healthcare industry is growing, but Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t convinced patients will see the benefits.

He argued last week that AI tools are driving up healthcare costs and increasing claim denials, enriching tech giants and insurers rather than patients.

“Both Big Hospitals and Big Insurance are using AI tools to either seek more reimbursements or to deny more claims,” DeSantis said. “The result: AI providers make a lot of money, individuals pay higher premiums and have more denials, and nobody gets healthier.”

His comments followed a new Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analysis that estimated increasingly complex hospital coding added $942 million in spending for Blue Cross plans between 2023 and 2025. The group raised concerns that AI tools are helping hospitals identify additional billable diagnoses without corresponding changes in treatment.

The criticism comes just a week after DeSantis struck a similarly negative tone at an Orlando healthcare summit. DeSantis contrasted potentially valuable medical applications with what he called consumer-facing AI “slop,” while warning about patient privacy, health data security, and potential harm to children.

DeSantis has tried unsuccessfully to turn his concerns into state law. His proposed AI Bill of Rights died during the Regular Session, and he later added AI protections to an April Special Session call.

During the Special Session, the Senate passed a revised measure 37-1; then-House Speaker Daniel Perez declined to take it up in the House. DeSantis floated another Special Session on AI in September, but acknowledged lawmakers might not reach a “meeting of the minds” before the election.

— SilverLeaf emergency center —

A First Coast suburb is getting a new healthcare outlet.

Baptist Health has opened a new emergency center for adults and children in the SilverLeaf area. The medical campus provides adult and pediatric care 24 hours a day.

The Baptist & Wolfson Emergency Room at SilverLeaf opened Sept. 22. It also provides primary care, neurology, orthopedics, rehabilitation services, cardiology, laboratory and wellness center services at the campus located on St. Johns Parkway in St. Augustine.

“A truly healthy community needs care that supports people at every stage, from regular checkups with a primary care physician to life’s most urgent moments,” said Matthew A. Zuino, President and CEO of Baptist Health.

“With the addition of this emergency center to our new Baptist SilverLeaf Medical Campus, we’re expanding access to expert care for families in this growing part of St. Johns County and reinforcing our commitment to being there when they need us most.”

— Orange Park party —

HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital held its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Reunion this month.

The celebration was part of NICU Awareness Month and drew hospital patients, families, and caregivers to campus in early September. Carnival activities were offered, and participants were guided into an interactive NICU room to explore the station.

“Every year, we are honored to host this event that unites our hospital community with the families and caregivers who have shown incredible resilience,” said Chad Patrick, Chief Executive Officer at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. “It’s a true celebration of hope and the amazing progress our NICU graduates have achieved.”

The hospital west of downtown Jacksonville provides specialized care and health services for babies born as early as 32 weeks.

“We are so excited to celebrate the outstanding care that our NICU team provides to families in our community and are looking forward to reconnecting with our former patients,” said Suzanne Jones, Director of Women and Children’s Services at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital.

— LOBBYISTS —

Jennifer Green, Ethan Merchant, Timothy Parson, Adam Potts, Liberty Partners of Tallahassee: Heart’n Soul Hospice

Samantha Greer, Floridian Partners: EverForward

Thomas Rogers, Erica Thomas, The Southern Group: BoldAge PACE, GuideWell Group

Nick Iarossi, Capital City Consulting: NYU Langone Health

— ICYMI —

“The price of remission” via David Armstrong of ProPublica — Revlimid has helped keep my multiple myeloma in remission, but understanding how the lifesaving drug became so expensive exposed a troubling story. The drug has generated more than $100 billion in sales while its price has increased 26 times since launch. A pill costing roughly 25 cents to manufacture now approaches $1,000. Celgene used patents, safety restrictions and agreements with generic manufacturers to protect Revlimid from competition while repeatedly raising prices, leaving some cancer patients facing debt or abandoning treatment. Bristol Myers Squibb acquired Celgene in 2019, but increases continued. My monthly prescription eventually reached $19,660. When my insurer switched me to generic Revlimid, I expected dramatic savings. Instead, the generic still costs $17,349 monthly.

“Donald Trump’s $500 healthcare checks put Florida near the front” via Mary Kekatos of ABC News — The Trump administration is mailing $500 Affordable Care Act refunds to 950,000 people, with Florida among the states receiving the most checks. Treasury attributes the payments to overcharges of the marketplace user fee. Eligible recipients generally earn above 400% of the federal poverty level, although some lower-income enrollees without subsidies also qualify. Payments cover 30 states using the federal insurance exchange; residents of states operating their own exchanges are excluded. Johns Hopkins healthcare expert Gerard Anderson questioned whether the checks reach people most hurt by administration policy changes, including expired premium tax credits. The checks began going out Wednesday and include a letter promoting Trump’s record. Officials have not said how quickly recipients should expect delivery of the promised payments.

“Republicans tried to punt healthcare cuts until after the Midterms. It didn’t work.” via Alice Miranda Ollstein of POLITICO — Republicans’ signature legislation from Trump 2.0 — 2025’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — ensured that its tax cuts were immediate while its controversial cuts to Medicaid and other healthcare programs wouldn’t take effect until after the Midterm elections. Democrats worried last year that this delayed implementation would defang their attacks on the campaign trail, leaving voters unmoved by the message that a healthcare apocalypse was just around the corner. But for many, it has already arrived. Millions of people lost their Obamacare insurance after Republicans allowed COVID-era subsidies to expire last year, and premiums for many who remained have skyrocketed.

“Ron DeSantis administration narrows exemption in proposed vaccine rule” via Christine Sexton of Florida Phoenix — The DeSantis administration removed a proposed exemption allowing parents to decline school vaccinations based on sincerely held moral or ethical beliefs. Medical groups welcomed that revision but remain opposed to eliminating requirements for four vaccines: Hib, hepatitis B, chickenpox and pneumococcal conjugate. A four-hour hearing is scheduled Oct. 8 in Lake Mary following requests from Florida chapters of the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthcare attorney Christopher Nuland said state law did not authorize the discarded exemption. The Department of Health, led by Surgeon General Joe Ladapo, is pursuing administrative changes after lawmakers rejected the Governor’s efforts to eliminate mandates. Existing law still requires several childhood immunizations and permits exemptions for valid medical and religious reasons.

“Sarasota Memorial to buy 120 acres for future Florida campus” via Madeline Scheetz of Becker Hospital Review — Sarasota Memorial received approval from the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board Sept. 22 to purchase 120 acres in Manatee County for nearly $60 million. The land deal is contingent upon the system collaborating with Manatee County officials and community leaders to rezone and develop a future campus, according to a press release shared with Becker’s. The first phase of the system’s Manatee campus, pending approvals, would include a freestanding emergency department on the 10-acre parcel. Other phases may feature primary and specialty physician practices, pediatric specialty care, imaging, diagnostic and laboratory services and other medical buildings.

“TMH, FSU finalize agreements for academic health system partnership” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — Roughly six months after the city sold the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare hospital to Florida State University, the hospital and university have finalized the long-awaited agreements establishing the framework for an expanded FSU Health network. Under the agreements, TMH will continue to run and manage day-to-day operations but will eventually operate under the FSU Health brand. The hospital will also lead the future Panama City Beach hospital, TMH’s other clinical care locations and its employed physician network, TMH Physician Partners. The newly signed agreements preserve TMH’s existing charity care policy and “establish a new governance structure that gives FSU the ability to nominate candidates for Boards in Tallahassee and Panama City Beach.”

— RULES —

The Department of Health’s final rule (64-4.215) on Renewal Application Requirements for MMTCs takes effect on Tuesday. More here.

The Board of Occupational Therapy’s final rule (64B11-4.008) on Minimum Standards of Practice for the Performance of Dry Needling takes effect on Tuesday. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration’s final rule (59G-4.264) regarding Medicaid’s Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center Services takes effect on Oct. 11. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration, Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule (59A-8.0248) regarding Excellence in Home Health goes into effect on Oct. 12. More here.

The Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health’s final rule (64E-18.002) regarding Definitions goes into effect on October 14. More here.

The Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health’s final rule (64E-18.011) regarding Environmental Health Technician Certification goes into effect on Oct. 14. More here.

The Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health’s final rule (64E-3.0032) regarding Radiologic Assistant Practice Standards goes into effect on Oct. 14. More here.

The Department of Health, Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support’s final rule (64J-1.019) regarding Training In Emergency Epinephrine Auto-Injector Use goes into effect on Oct. 14. More here.

— PENCIL IT IN —

Oct. 12

Happy birthday to Shevrin Jones!

Oct. 16

Happy birthday to Lisa Dunkley and Meg Weinberger!

Oct. 17

8 a.m. — The Broward County Medical Association will host its AI Conference 2026, where physicians and healthcare leaders will explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in medicine. View the agenda here. Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale.

Oct. 20

10 a.m. — The Agency for Persons with Disabilities will hold its 20th annual Exceptional Employment Awards Ceremony honoring Florida employers and exceptional employees with disabilities. The Capitol.

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