lawsuit

A 28-page petition asks the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to issue an injunction that at least would put the rule on hold while an underlying appeal is decided.

The AMA and AHA are not arguing to halt the law that protects patients from unexpected bills. Instead, they want to change the rules for the mediators who will settle the dispute between insurers and providers.

Florida's attorney general's office wants an appellate court to take up its challenge to the federal mandate because a nationwide injuction issued by a Louisiana judge will likely be appealed.

In a joint motion, attorneys for the parents and the DeSantis administration said the case was moot because of a law passed during a special session this month.

The federal judge issued an injunction against the federal requirement. Meanwhile, a Pensacola-based judge issued an order that clears Florida's challenge to be onsidered by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The verdict in federal court comes as three of the country's largest pharmacy chains face thousands of lawsuits filed by communities across the U.S. The companies say they did nothing wrong dispensing huge quantities of opioids.

In asking the appeals court to move quickly, attorneys for the school boards said the emergency rule is slated to expire Dec. 21 and is creating confusion for students, teachers and parents.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida also will challenge a vaccine mandate that will apply to health care facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, that participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

Dozens of Republican state officials are suing over the White House's COVID-19 vaccine mandate that they say is unconstitutional and threatens business.

Said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: “We want to make sure we're protecting people's jobs, protecting people's livelihoods. Tossing people aside is just not something that we can tolerate.”