HNF Stories

At 7 a.m. on a Monday morning, poor people who don’t qualify for government health programs such as Medicaid are lined up outside a health department building on a busy street in St. Petersburg. 

Some lean against the wall; others sit on the ground, too sick to stand. 

At 7:30, the doors will open and those who are waiting will rush – or limp – inside to take a number. Lucky ones will get to see a doctor. First-come, first-served.

Thirty-seven percent of Florida hospitals have received an “A” grade from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization that grades participating hospitals on their efforts to prevent medical errors, putting the Sunshine State in 10th place.

State Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville, says the debate over how exactly to implement the Affordable Care Act in Florida is far from over. 

"There's going to be much more discussion as to what we should do next year as we watch other states," Bean said.  "Maybe we can also clarify exactly what the federal government has in mind."

Actress Angelina Jolie revealed this week that because she inherited a gene mutation that severely increases the risk of getting breast cancer, she decided to have a preventative double mastectomy, removing both of her breasts and then getting reconstructive surgery.  

Dr. Sue Friedman is the founder and executive director of an organization called FORCE, which stands for Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered. 

Health News Florida, WUSF’s health reporting initiative, provides daily coverage of health issues that affect the everyday lives of Floridians. We provide this vital information on radio, through video and website content. You can help us remain positioned as a statewide leader in health reporting by supporting the WUSF 89.7 Special One Day Campaign. Give now here. 

During the 2013 legislative session, Florida lawmakers were unable to agree on a plan to expand health care coverage for more low-income Floridians.  WUSF’s Carson Cooper talked to three state representatives about that issue for this week’s episode of Florida Matters, which aired Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on WUSF 89.7 FM. 

If you missed it, you can listen to the whole conversation here.

Florida officials say they'll soon be relying on state-of-the-art technology to ensure that food stamps are issued to people who really need them. 

Crooks who try to steal from the state's welfare system will be in for a nasty surprise.

The Department of Children and Families says Florida will become the first state in the country to use new technology to crack down on food stamp and other welfare fraud.

Florida lawmakers were unable to agree on a plan to expand health care coverage for more low-income Floridians.  We talked to three state representatives about that issue for this week’s episode of Florida Matters, which aired Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. on WUSF 89.7. 

The Florida Legislature’s decision against expanding Medicaid will saddle the state’s employers with higher health care costs and was “bad for business,” health care experts told business leaders on Tuesday. 

Florida corporations have been “too quiet” about Medicaid expansion and other health care issues, and should make elected officials aware of their displeasure before the damage gets worse, said William Kramer, a national health policy leader in San Francisco who works with corporations.