TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Florida lawmakers have approved a reorganization of the state Department of Health that includes shuttering the state's only tuberculosis hospital.
The bill (HB 1263) was finally approved Friday and sent to Gov. Rick Scott.
Lawmakers had removed what was known as a “decentralization'' that would have shifted public-health responsibilities from the state to the counties. They later added a repeal of a statewide septic-tank inspection program.
Bill sponsor Matt Hudson did keep in the planned closing of A.G. Holley Hospital in Lantana. The Naples Republican said 46 other states do without a tuberculosis hospital.
Others had said the facility treats the most stubborn cases, who also have HIV and other illnesses _ and other hospitals likely won't accept transferred patients from there.
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