Hillsborough County offers adult day services
TAMPA – Hillsborough County Adult Day Services observed National Adult Day Services Week from Sept. 21 to 27 with numerous programs to educate and raise awareness.
These included open houses and education sessions on Alzheimer’s and fall prevention.
Hillsborough County Adult Day Services Centers allow caregivers to receive respite or continue employment while their loved ones enjoy a supervised and socially stimulating setting. The centers offer mental, social and physical activities for people who have frailties, physical or cognitive impairments, or chronic health conditions.
Call Hillsborough County Aging Services at (813) 272-5250 or visit HCFL.gov/Aging to learn more.
Seniors could get improved access to medical devices
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and others reintroduced the Ensuring Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act to improve access to cutting-edge medical technology for seniors.
The bill would require Medicare to provide coverage for medical devices approved under the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program, which is designed to accelerate the development and review of innovative technologies that offer more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions.
Currently, Medicare does not automatically cover these breakthrough medical technologies, even when they have been approved or cleared by the FDA and granted breakthrough designation. Under the traditional process, it can take more than six years for Medicare to determine coverage.
Bill to protect seniors’ access to lab testing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and others introduced the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act to protect seniors’ access to essential lab services.
Legislators said without reform to the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, deep cuts under that payment system are set to begin in January 2026 and will threaten timely access to care for America’s seniors.
“Strong clinical laboratories are vital to delivering high-quality care, especially for seniors who depend on timely testing to maintain their health,” Bilirakis said. “The RESULTS Act will protect access to these essential services and help ensure that families in Florida and across the country can continue to receive the care they need.”
Bilirakis bills advance out of committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced seven pieces of legislation Sept. 17, including two bipartisan initiatives led by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12).
Both measures were poised for a vote on the House floor.
One of the measures, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, directs the Department of Transportation to require automakers to include AM broadcast radio as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles, ensuring universal access to AM radio at no additional cost to consumers.
The second Bilirakis-led initiative is a comprehensive legislative package aimed at accelerating the development of pediatric cancer treatments and expanding access to life-saving therapies for children with rare diseases.
Bill seeks to prevent stillbirth
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) introduced the Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act to improve stillbirth research and data collection.
The SHINE for Autumn Act aims to bridge gaps in stillbirth data, research and education by:
- Providing grants to states to support consistent, secure data collection, assessment and reporting on stillbirth and risk factors.
- Strengthening privacy protections to ensure sensitive health data is protected.
- Directing the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with health care providers, to develop best practices and educational materials for state health departments on stillbirth data collection and prevention strategies.
Castor votes no on health care cuts
TAMPA – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) voted no on the GOP budget bill.
She said millions of Floridians face devastating health care cost increases due to Congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced Premium Tax Credits.
“If the tax credit expires, millions of people with chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes will struggle to afford health care or lose coverage altogether,” she said. “All Floridians will be saddled with higher costs due to uncompensated care at hospitals and crowded emergency rooms. Florida hospitals strongly support extension of the health care tax credits.”
Castor introduces health care amendments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) introduced two amendments to keep health care costs and immunizations affordable during a markup of seven bills by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Castor’s first amendment would permanently extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced Premium Tax Credits to keep health care premiums from skyrocketing at the end of the year.
Castor’s second amendment would prevent any changes from being made to the current vaccine recommendations for children, teens and adults that would result in people losing access to no-cost coverage.