nursing homes

Similar to the Senate proposal, the House health care plan recommends reducing Medicaid payments for inpatient and outpatient hospital care by $288 million.

The state has told the nursing home industry to abide by recently issued federal guidelines that allow visitors to touch fully vaccinated residents.

Under a bill, Florida facilities would be allowed to operate apprenticeship programs and use participants’ on-the-job training to meet state minimum staffing requirements.

The guidelines will only make slight changes to Florida’s visitation procedures. Among them: the ability for residents to touch and hug their loved ones.

Federal records show a steep decline in staff cases since December, when health care workers at thousands of nursing homes began getting their shots. Still, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.

Two bills being considered by Florida lawmakers would make it harder for people to sue health care providers in COVID-19-related cases. Opponents say nursing homes should be held accountable.

As of Friday, long-term care facilities were linked to about 35 percent of the 28,565 deaths of Floridians from COVID-19, according to a report released by the state Department of Health.

About 90% of assisted living facilities in Florida have self-reported having a chance to have their staff and residents vaccinated, leaving 10% still waiting for the opportunity.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all residents and staff at long-term care facilities by Sunday, but nearly 1,000 facilities have yet to receive vaccines.

According to reports, the chief executive of a West Palm Beach long-term care facility offered COVID-19 vaccinations to board members and donors.

COVID-19 vaccines are reaching more long-term facilities, but many worry they won't come soon enough to stave off more deaths.

Long-term care residents and staff members make up about 38% of the reported 21,212 Florida resident deaths since the pandemic started.