Politics

Diagnosis for 8.10.26: Checking the pulse of Florida healthcare news and policy

Welcome back to Diagnosis, a vertical focused on the intersection of healthcare policy and politics.

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Florida voters overwhelmingly support requiring healthcare providers to tell patients what care will cost before they receive it, according to a new statewide poll from the James Madison Institute.

The survey found 91% of registered voters support requiring healthcare providers, hospitals and pharmacies to disclose clear, up-front prices before providing non-emergency treatment or filling prescriptions. Just 9% were opposed or unsure.

*Florida voters overwhelmingly support knowing the price of healthcare before receiving treatment.*

Support was nearly identical across party lines, with 91% of Republicans, 88% of Democrats and 92% of independent voters backing up-front price disclosure.

The finding also suggests greater price transparency could affect how Floridians use the healthcare system. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) said knowing the cost of treatment in advance would change their healthcare decisions.

“Cost of living is the issue on every Floridian’s mind right now, and the new JMI Poll shows just how deeply it is shaping their views,” said Robert McClure, president and CEO of the James Madison Institute. “Nearly all voters, regardless of party affiliation, say prices are going up, and they support meaningful relief — from cutting property taxes to demanding price transparency in healthcare. Policymakers should take note.”

The findings come as affordability remains a dominant concern among Florida voters. In the same survey, 94% said the cost of living in Florida increased during the past year, including 62% who said costs increased “a lot.”

The poll of 1,400 Florida registered voters was conducted July 20-26 by Targoz Market Research on behalf of the James Madison Institute. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.62 percentage points.

— Medical Math —

Florida lands near the middle of the country in a new analysis measuring healthcare spending against household income.

Researchers at MediFind ranked Florida 26th among the 50 states, estimating selected healthcare expenditures at $7,945 per person. That amounts to 11.37% of Florida’s median household income of $69,876.

The analysis combines per capita spending on hospital services, physician and clinical services, dental care and prescription drugs, then compares the total with median household income to estimate the relative financial burden in each state.

*Florida ranks 26th nationally for health care spending relative to household income.*

For Florida, hospital services accounted for the largest share at $3,196 per person, followed by physician and clinical services at $2,816. Prescription drug spending totaled $1,508 per person, while dental spending came to $425.

That puts Florida well below the states where healthcare expenditures consume the largest share of income. West Virginia ranked No. 1, with $10,313 in selected healthcare spending equal to 16.14% of median income. South Dakota and Delaware followed at 15.23% and 15.12%, respectively.

At the other end of the list, Utah had the lowest relative burden. Its $5,988 in per capita healthcare expenditures equaled 6.81% of median household income, which is less than half the share recorded in West Virginia.

Florida also sits between neighboring states on the measure. Alabama ranked 18th at 12.01%, and Georgia ranked 35th at 10.73%.

The study used healthcare expenditure data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ State Health Expenditure Accounts.

— Blood Rush —

Drones are entering the healthcare field in the Tampa area.

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is about to start using drones to deliver whole blood. It’s the first program of its kind in the nation, and TGH is partnering with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Archer First Response Systems.

A TGH press release said drone delivery of blood will cut transport times to under three minutes on average. And that’s in a 70-square-mile area in Hillsborough County.

“As Florida’s premier academic health system and a world-class Level I trauma center, Tampa General offers patients in crisis the best chances at the best possible outcome. But we refuse to settle for the status quo, which is why we invest in the latest technologies,” said John Couris, president and CEO of TGH, Florida Health Sciences Center.

Archer First Response Systems provides an operational system for drone logistics, and Hillsborough Fire officials will operate it. The drones with blood as cargo will be dispatched upon emergency calls involving severe blood loss while emergency responders go to the scene. First responders can also request drone delivery of whole blood.

“Our crews are often first at the scene of an accident. This program puts an essential, lifesaving resource directly in our hands at the scene, giving our first responders more tools to improve the chances of survival of a patient in crisis,” said Todd Carnell, rescue division chief of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

The program will be stationed at two Hillsborough County Fire Rescue locations, including Station 9 in Faulkenburg-Sabal Park and Station 37 in Riverview.

— Mayo Reigns —

The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has been pegged as the top hospital in Florida.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the Mayo Clinic as the top medical facility in the state according to the publication’s list of Best Hospitals for 2026-2027. The facility ranked nationally among the top 25 hospitals in eight specialties, including cardiology and surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology, urology and orthopedics.

“Mayo Clinic in Florida being ranked No. 1 in the state and named to the U.S. News Honor Roll are extraordinary recognitions for Mayo Clinic in Florida,” said Ken Thielen, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. “We are grateful to every member of our team whose expertise, collaboration and commitment to our patients made this achievement possible.”

*Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville earned the No. 1 ranking among Florida hospitals.*

The Mayo Clinic in Florida provides care for more than 175,000 patients each year in about 50 specialty areas. About 11,000 caregivers staff the facility.

The latest stellar ranking for Mayo Clinic comes on top of a Newsweek ranking that also placed the facility as tops in Florida in Best Hospitals for Specialized Care.

— LOBBYISTS —

Slater Bayliss, John Schrader, Stephen Shiver, The Advocacy Partners: Echo 1 Emergency Logistics

Douglas Bell, Anna DePaolo, Leslie Dughi, James Daughton Jr., Allison Liby-Schoonover, Aimee Lyon, Andrew Palmer, Karl Rasmussen, Metz Husband & Daughton: CDI Management

Megan Fay, Ronald LaFace Jr., Capital City Consulting: Children’s Love Corporation

— ICYMI —

“New Naples area medical school aims to fix doctor shortage, create jobs” via Liz Freeman of Naples Daily News — A construction project underway off Collier Boulevard may contribute to your health. A first-ever medical school is being built: a proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine in Naples at a five-acre site at Rattlesnake Hammock Road and Collier Boulevard. Dozens of leaders in business, healthcare and government were on hand recently to celebrate the groundbreaking for the project that has applied for accreditation with the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, COCA. It cannot be called a medical school until it achieves “candidate status,” said Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar, founding dean and chief academic officer. That is expected to happen sometime between August and December, he said.

“Flight physical: Florida’s doctors clear Jon Fay for takeoff in HD 2” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — Fay picked up another key endorsement in the Republican Primary for House District 2 as the Florida Medical Association PAC threw its support behind the retired Navy flight officer. FMA PAC President Andrew Borom praised Fay’s military service and leadership, while Fay said improving healthcare for veterans remains a driving motivation behind his campaign. The former Blue Angels executive officer has also secured endorsements from outgoing Rep. Alex Andrade, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis and Associated Industries of Florida. Fay faces Republican Trei McMullen in the Aug. 18 Primary, with the winner advancing to face Democrat Johnny Austin Thompson in the General Election for the Pensacola-area seat.

*Jon Fay picked up the backing of the Florida Medical Association PAC in the HD 2 race. Image via Facebook.*

“Tampa General’s ‘Food as Medicine’ mission catches Washington’s eye” via Florida Politics — Tampa General Hospital is drawing national attention for its “food as medicine” initiative after hosting high-profile federal officials eager to see its revamped patient dining program. Built around a Mediterranean-style diet designed by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, the menu emphasizes whole foods, locally sourced ingredients and nutrient-dense meals. During a July visit, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Brooke Rollins recognized the hospital by making it the first in the nation to sign the HHS Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge. Mehmet Oz also toured the program, praising its focus on quality ingredients. Tampa General says patient surveys show an 82% improvement in food quality, reinforcing its belief that nutrition plays a critical role in recovery.

— RULES —

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine’s final rule (64B15-12.005) regarding Limited Licensure for Physicians Licensed in United States Jurisdictions goes into effect on Aug. 10. More here.

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine’s final rule (64B15-9.0085) regarding Unexcused Absences goes into effect on Aug. 10. More here.

The Board of Nursing’s final rule (64B9-8.006) regarding Disciplinary Guidelines; Range of Penalties; Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances goes into effect on Aug. 11. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration, Certificate of Need’s final rule (59C-1.004) regarding Projects Subject to Review goes into effect on Aug. 13. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration, Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule (59A-18.004) regarding Licensure Requirements, Procedures, and Fees goes into effect on Aug. 17. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration, Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule (59A-37.004) regarding Admission Criteria and Procedures, Appropriateness of Placement, and Continued Residency Requirements goes into effect on Aug. 17. More here.