Rick Mayer
Health News FloridaI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on Twitter @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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CMS finally accepted Florida’s application for a waiver, but with the stipulation that the state provides 12 months of continuous coverage. But the state doesn't want to accept the agency's requirements. -
The GOP-led panel wrapped up a two-year investigation with criticism for lockdowns, vaccines, social distancing and masking mandates. -
The $265 million deal with Community Health Systems includes ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte and ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda, which has been closed due to hurricane damage. -
The national races are expected to effect to the future of health care policy, but in Florida, the microscope and money have been on Amendments 3 and 4. The ends of the campaigns are finally here. -
The complaint, citing a recent state investigation, alleges more than 16% of the signatures are invalid and that multiple state elections supervisors failed to conduct a sufficient review. -
The ready-to-eat meals, processed at an Oklahoma plant operated by BrucePac, went out to more than 200 schools, including nine in Florida. -
In a sharply worded order, a federal judge issues a temporary restraining order after a lawsuit was filed against the state by a group campaigning for the abortion-rights amendment proposal. -
Floodwaters bring increased risk of infections from Vibrio bacteria, The number of infections spiked after Hurricane Ian inundated Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm in 2022. -
Orlando Health has taken over day-to-day operations in the five Birmingham facilities after paying a reported $910 million. The system remains a faith-based organization with Tenet as a partner. -
Symptoms of dengue fever include a high fever, severe headache, eye pain and muscle and joint pain. It is rarely fatal.
