A Planned Parenthood affiliate has won a battle over whether doctors can perform abortions and sonograms at a Florida health center. The Florida Supreme Court last week overturned two lower-court decisions that would have stopped abortions and sonograms from being performed at the Kissimmee Health Center outside Orlando. The high court said the trial judge misstated facts, and sent the case back to the lower courts. In the meantime, the procedures at the clinic can take place. The case originated with a lawsuit from two doctors who oppose abortion and who work at a different office in the same medical complex. The suit focused on property restrictions; 30 years ago the original developer prohibited the complex from being used as an outpatient surgical center.
Two of New Hampshire's largest health systems have once again called off affiliation talks. Lebanon-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health and Manchester-based Elliot Health System announced late last week that they had decided to end their latest round of discussions, which began in May 2016. The two systems had previously engaged in affiliation discussions for most of 2015, according to the New Hampshire Union-Leader. A statement from Elliot Health System said that the systems would not continue to pursue an affiliation, but rather will look for ways that Elliot and Dartmouth-Hitchcock can partner on programs that serve community needs.
Puerto Rico's governor has met with the HHS Secretary Tom Price over concerns about dwindling Medicaid funds. Puerto Rico stands to lose about $1 billion in federal healthcare funding by year-end. Rossello also said he wants to know how Puerto Rico fits into President Donald Trump's vision for a new healthcare model. The meetings come just days before Rossello is required to submit a 10-year fiscal plan to a federal control board.
