Hospitals

The measure stems from a federal law that allowed the designation of rural emergency hospitals and made them eligible for Medicare payments.

The Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would create a new category of “rural emergency hospitals” in the state, with supporters saying it would help ensure access to health care in rural areas.

The expansion of Catholic hospitals nationwide leaves patients at the mercy of the church’s religious directives, which are often at odds with accepted medical standards.

Federal officials say they are working to develop rules to help health care facilities protect themselves against threats. But they say more money is needed from Congress to help hospitals protect themselves.

Under the measures, facilities designated as rural emergency hospitals could provide emergency services, observation care and outpatient services that do not exceed an average length of stay of 24 hours.

It shut down surgeries last week over concerns about sterilized operative room equipment.

The Senate Judiciary Committee forwarded the bill after adding limits on pain-and-suffering damages in lawsuits against doctors and hospitals.

It affects one of the flagship hospitals for HCA Florida Healthcare, which has 510 beds and treats more than 50,000 patients each year.

Some hospitals and physician groups are rejecting Medicare Advantage plans over payment rates and coverage restrictions, causing turmoil for patients.

The new division extends TGH’s footprint into Citrus and Hernando counties. It includes three hospitals, an ER, two surgery centers and 10 clinics.

After completing an approved program, music therapists are part of the hospital’s health care team working in the pediatric, cancer and blood disorder departments.

Two dozen states, from Florida to Washington, have passed laws that allow hospital systems to merge into monopolies, disregarding FTC warnings that such mergers can become difficult to control and may decrease quality of care.