Issues of Interest

AMBULANCE PROVIDER RULES State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued an emergency order temporarily suspending a requirement that emergency medical transportation providers obtain a “certificate of public convenience and necessity” from counties to offer services. The order came after an ambulance service tried to expand into a neighboring county last year but local officials refused to approve the certificate, saying there was not a need for additional providers.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH The Florida Department of Children and Families received over $1.9 million in an emergency grant to address behavioral health disorders resulting from the current pandemic. The money will be used over the next 16 months to provide mental health services, in person and via telehealth technology, for healthcare practitioners and other individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse issues.

LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew issued an emergency order delaying a deadline for nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities to pay more than $72 million in March and April health-quality assessment taxes The facilities for people with developmental disabilities had until June 15th to submit two months of taxes to the state and nursing homes had until June 20th to submit their March and April quality assessment taxes.

FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT The Public Services commission rejected Florida Power and Light’s request to use tax savings to replenish a reserve fund instead of passing the money along to customers through lower rates.

NASCAR NASCAR announced on June 10th that the display of the Confederate flag will be banned from all of their events and properties moving forward.