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<\/a>Paul Renner spotlights \u2018health freedom\u2019 in 2026 campaign, pledging to end mandates and overhaul school nutrition.<\/p>\nRenner\u2019s priorities: protecting medical freedom, strengthening parental rights, improving school wellness and nutrition, and promoting preventive and alternative care options such as naturopathic and nutritional medicine. It also proposes \u201cresponsible guardrails\u201d for artificial intelligence in schools, requiring parental consent before use and restricting it to classroom learning.<\/p>\n
The initiative mirrors Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 opposition to pandemic-era mandates but extends that approach with new provisions on parental authority. Renner said his administration would ensure that \u201cparents and only parents\u201d make medical and mental health decisions for their children, adding that \u201cchildren get vaccines at too early an age\u201d and should receive them only after discussion with their pediatrician.<\/p>\n
Renner also emphasized childhood wellness, promising to partner with Florida farmers to bring fresh, healthy food into school cafeterias and to eliminate harmful additives from meals. Advocacy groups, including Stand for Health Freedom and Parental Rights Florida, praised the plan as a bold step toward \u201crestoring transparency and empowering parents.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Anesthesia autonomy \u2014<\/p>\n Rep. Mike Giallombardo is once again seeking to expand autonomous practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).<\/p>\n The Cape Coral Republican refiled legislation (HB 375<\/a>) that would allow CRNAs in Florida to work independently, removing the current requirement for written supervisory agreements with physicians in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.<\/p>\n Under current law, only specific advanced practice registered nurses \u2014 including those in primary care, family medicine, general pediatrics and internal medicine \u2014 may practice autonomously. Giallombardo\u2019s bill would extend that same authority to CRNAs, revising state statutes to permit them to administer anesthesia and perform related procedures without direct physician oversight.<\/p>\n The measure builds on similar efforts from the 2025 Session, when the House passed an earlier version (HB 649) in a 77\u201330 vote, though the companion bill in the Senate (SB 718) stalled in Committee. Critics raised concerns about patient safety and liability in the absence of physician supervision, while supporters argued the change would help close workforce gaps and improve access to care, particularly in rural communities.<\/p>\n The Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists has long supported the proposal, noting that more than 30 states already allow CRNAs to practice independently and that Florida\u2019s current framework contributes to provider shortages. Opponents, including the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists and the Florida Medical Association, continue to warn of risks to patient safety and the potential for reduced quality of care.<\/p>\n If approved, the measure would take effect July 1, 2026.<\/p>\n \u2014 Sky salute \u2014<\/p>\n Last month, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) partnered with Dream Flights<\/a> to honor local Veterans living in Big Bend long-term care facilities with flights in iconic WWII-era, open-cockpit biplanes.<\/p>\n \u201cThese Veterans who took to the skies are the model of service to the country,\u201d said Emmett Reed, FHCA CEO. \u201cFHCA and our member centers are focused on enriching the lives of the residents entrusted to our care, and it\u2019s our honor to provide this unforgettable experience to these brave men and women. We\u2019re thrilled to partner with Dream Flights to make this memorable experience possible for them.\u201d<\/p>\n Veteran residents, their families, and team members from the care centers they reside in gathered at Million Air FBO in Tallahassee for the Dream Flight experience. Each Veteran resident received a FHCA challenge coin, a veteran\u2019s service medal from the Florida Veterans Foundation, and additional recognition from the Florida Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs.<\/p>\n FHCA sponsored the Dream Flights experience to thank Veterans for their service during Florida\u2019s Veterans Appreciation Month. Dream Flyers experienced the freedom of soaring in the same aircraft used to train aviators during WWII.<\/p>\n \u2014 ICYMI \u2014<\/p>\n \u201cCommunity focused or \u2018out of touch\u2019? Divide over hospital leadership bursts into open<\/a>\u201d via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat \u2014 Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Florida State University are clashing over control of a proposed academic medical center\u2019s Governing Board, with TMH insisting on a community majority to prevent political interference in medical decisions. The dispute, long simmering behind closed doors, has erupted publicly through dueling opinion pieces and a controversial text poll from Grow Tallahassee, which TMH called misleading and defamatory. TMH Board Chair James Killius says protecting community oversight is vital to keep health care decisions free from state politics, while business leader Bugra Demirel accuses TMH of blocking progress. City leaders are weighing competing Board proposals that would include FSU, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College, as both sides press their visions for the hospital\u2019s future.<\/p>\n \u201cFlorida health agency submits application for millions of federal rural health funding<\/a>\u201d via Kimberly Leonard of POLITICO \u2014 Florida\u2019s Agency for Health Care Administration has applied for millions in federal funding through Donald Trump\u2019s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocates $50 billion over five years to improve rural health care. Deputy Medicaid Secretary Brian Meyer told state lawmakers the proposal emphasizes workforce development, expanded access to primary, maternal, dental and mental health services and telehealth technology. The state also outlined plans to promote nutrition and physical activity. Lawmakers voiced frustration over the short Nov. 5 deadline. Still, Meyer said officials will collaborate with the Legislature once funds are awarded on Dec. 31. Grants will be distributed in two phases, with spending restrictions and federal monitoring to ensure Florida meets improvement benchmarks.<\/p>\n \u201cPoll shows most Floridians concerned about U.S. reliance on Chinese medical tech<\/a>\u201d via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics \u2014 Nearly three-quarters of Floridians say America relies too much on Chinese medical gear. More would vote for politicians who support cracking down on Chinese influence on U.S. health care. That\u2019s according to a poll commissioned by the Protecting America Initiative, which surveyed likely voters on issues related to China\u2019s impact on U.S. medical services. The survey found 72% of Florida voters believe the U.S. is \u201ctoo dependent\u201d on Chinese-made medical technologies. About 81% support more decisive government action to reduce that reliance. \u201cFlorida voters are sending a clear warning about America\u2019s growing dependence on Chinese-made medical technology. They view it as a direct threat to both patient safety and national security,\u201d a polling memo from the group reads.<\/p>\n \u201cRon and Casey DeSantis announce pediatric cancer research initiative in Florida<\/a>\u201d via Beth Reese Cravey of The Florida Times-Union \u2014 DeSantis announced a five-year funding initiative today to boost pediatric cancer research at four Florida specialty children\u2019s hospitals, including Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital in Jacksonville. The other facilities are Nemours Children\u2019s Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children\u2019s Hospital in Miami and Johns Hopkins All Children\u2019s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Each will receive $7.5 million each year \u2014 a total of $30 million this year \u2014 for five years, through the state\u2019s Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018We Are TGH Day\u2019: Tampa General, USF Health bring academic medicine to Capitol<\/a>\u201d via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics \u2014 More than 100 patients, family advocates, medical students, and team members from across Florida gathered at the State Capitol to highlight the academic distinction that defines Tampa General Hospital and USF Health. \u201cAs our region\u2019s only true university-affiliated academic health system, we are incredibly proud to provide compassionate, innovative, high-quality, and complex care to millions of people each year across an ever-growing network of seven hospitals and more than 150 care locations statewide,\u201d said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. \u201cThis event is an opportunity for Floridians who benefit from the power of academic medicine at Tampa General and USF Health to share their stories with our state\u2019s leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2014 RULES \u2014<\/p>\n The Board of Medicine\u2019s final rule regarding application for licensure and licensure requirements for anesthesiologist assistants goes into effect Nov. 16. More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Board of Medicine\u2019s final rule regarding licensure by endorsement for electrologists and electrology facilities goes into effect Nov. 19. More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Board of Osteopathic Medicine\u2019s final rule regarding application for licensure and licensure requirements for anesthesiologist assistants goes into effect Nov. 16. More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Board of Occupational Therapy\u2019s final rule regarding application by endorsement for occupational therapists goes into effect Nov. 19. More here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Mike Giallombardo renews push for CRNA autonomy, seeking to expand independent anesthesia practice statewide.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Florida Health Care Association honors Veterans with Dream Flights in WWII-era biplanes during Veterans Appreciation Month.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>FSU and TMH clash over hospital Board control, sparking public debate on community oversight and politics.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n