Rick Scott and The Department Of Health: The Saga Begins

Finally, the planned program of Governor-elect Rick Scott is taking shape. Among the items that will affect doctors the most is the proposal calling for merging the Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration. It would close the tuberculosis hospital at Lantana, privatize the state's mental hospitals, include the possible sale of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and ....?!
Rick Scott seems to operate (again) in a vacuum, surrounded by advisors, not understanding the ramifications of his decisions.
The Florida Department of Health was created in 1889 one year after a devastating yellow fever outbreak killed over 400 citizens in Jacksonville and about 40 percent of the population fled the city due to a yellow fever epidemic which sickened a third of those who stayed. Similar epidemics of cholera and yellow fever struck the state almost annually, one of which almost wiped out the population of St. Joseph in 1841. In most cases, limited medical care was available for the sick and weaker people died, but not before infecting many others. Many survivors were carriers, continuing to pass the diseases to others as a result of poor sanitary practices. As a result control of infectious diseases was the major reason for establishment of public health services and remains a major focus today with new infectious diseases emerging as a the results of global climate change. In addition, substance abuse, including the devastating impact or prescription narcotic abuse and diversion, challenges the public health system killing seven (7) Floridians every day!! During the 1996 legislative session, the beleaguered Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services was reconstructed as two entities: the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Children and Families to respond to the unique needs of its respective constituencies. Currently the Florida Department of Health operates County Health Departments in all 67 of the State's Counties. The agency employs more than 17,000 persons. It has championed immunization campaigns, tobacco control, and statewide preparedness response efforts. The Department of Health is a cabinet level agency of the state government, headed by the State Surgeon General who reports directly to the Governor.
I agree with Tim Stapelton, Florida Medical Association Senior Vice-President, that " ..this is a public safety concern and the governor must have a medical doctor advising him of these issues rather than another governor bureaucrat."
I also agree with Mr. Stapelton that its very questionable merging the department that REGULATES DOCTORS with the agencies that REGULATE HOSPITALS. This almost enshrines a conflict within the walls of one mega-agency. What kind of efficiencies does the governor-elect expect? On what expertise and experience is he basing his decision? Is he aware that his decision will undermine our already fledgling public health system?
Now is the time to raise our voices of concern and to let the (almost) one-party legislature know that absolute rule must be challenged.

Yours

Bernd