Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their serviceMiracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer
PORT CHARLOTTE Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their service A military wife has found a heartfelt way to honor veterans and first responders.
Miracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer It’s time for Miracle Moment.
PORT CHARLOTTE Tampa Bay Rays uplift Charlotte County fans post hurricanes Tampa Bay’s full squad reported on Monday and fans were out in full force, with more appreciation than the players might know.
Breakthrough for patients diagnosed with ALS Fewer than 500 people in the United States have a genetic mutation linked to their case of ALS.
EAST NAPLES 1 injured after house fire in East Naples An investigation is underway after a fire in East Naples.
Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtown Sagamore Management Co. seeks to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue in Bonita Springs.
Minnesota Twins, Lee Health host free open house and health fair The spring training season has kicked into full gear in Southwest Florida.
Ritz-Carlton Residences on Estero Bay construction reaches top floor London Bay celebrated the construction milestone of reaching the top floor of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, a 22-story, 112-unit, $225 million condo tower that has seen swift sales.
WINK News Photos of the Week Feb. 9 – Feb. 16 Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
TALLAHASSEE Gov. DeSantis swears in next Florida Attorney General Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has sworn in the next Attorney General, James Uthmeier.
the weather authority Cold front brings cooler, less humid weather this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping temperatures and reducing humidity on this Monday.
Hendry County FDOT starting construction on State Road 82 at Hendry County Line The Florida Department of Transportation is working to improve nearly 4 miles of State Road 82.
WINK NEWS Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda church celebrates Pastor’s 45 years of service The First Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Punta Gorda is alive with celebration as they honor a legacy of leadership.
FORT MYERS Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers hosts annual Valentine’s Day Party Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers held their annual Valentine’s Day pop-up/anniversary event on Sunday morning.
PORT CHARLOTTE Local nonprofit gives back to veterans for their service A military wife has found a heartfelt way to honor veterans and first responders.
Miracle Moment: Ronald McDonald House offers hope to boy battling cancer It’s time for Miracle Moment.
PORT CHARLOTTE Tampa Bay Rays uplift Charlotte County fans post hurricanes Tampa Bay’s full squad reported on Monday and fans were out in full force, with more appreciation than the players might know.
Breakthrough for patients diagnosed with ALS Fewer than 500 people in the United States have a genetic mutation linked to their case of ALS.
EAST NAPLES 1 injured after house fire in East Naples An investigation is underway after a fire in East Naples.
Bonita Springs Council to vote on duplex project near downtown Sagamore Management Co. seeks to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue in Bonita Springs.
Minnesota Twins, Lee Health host free open house and health fair The spring training season has kicked into full gear in Southwest Florida.
Ritz-Carlton Residences on Estero Bay construction reaches top floor London Bay celebrated the construction milestone of reaching the top floor of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Saltleaf on Estero Bay, a 22-story, 112-unit, $225 million condo tower that has seen swift sales.
WINK News Photos of the Week Feb. 9 – Feb. 16 Welcome to WINK News Photos of the Week, where we highlight memorable moments from Southwest Florida throughout the week.
TALLAHASSEE Gov. DeSantis swears in next Florida Attorney General Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has sworn in the next Attorney General, James Uthmeier.
the weather authority Cold front brings cooler, less humid weather this Monday The Weather Authority is tracking a cold front dropping temperatures and reducing humidity on this Monday.
Hendry County FDOT starting construction on State Road 82 at Hendry County Line The Florida Department of Transportation is working to improve nearly 4 miles of State Road 82.
WINK NEWS Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda church celebrates Pastor’s 45 years of service The First Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Punta Gorda is alive with celebration as they honor a legacy of leadership.
FORT MYERS Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers hosts annual Valentine’s Day Party Shift Coffee Bar in Fort Myers held their annual Valentine’s Day pop-up/anniversary event on Sunday morning.
MIAMI (AP) – Twenty of the 50 U.S. hospitals that charge the most for their services are located in Florida – and all but one of them are for-profit, according to a study released Monday. Most states, including Florida, don’t limit what hospitals charge for their services, making it easier for hospitals to set billing rates several times higher than what Medicare charges. U.S. hospitals charged on average more than three times the Medicare-allowable costs, according to a study in the June issue of the journal Health Affairs. The study uses 2012 Medicare data to examine hospitals that charge on average more than 10 times their costs. The study comes amid a national push to increase transparency in hopes of curbing rising health costs. The Obama administration began publishing some data, including hospital spending and the costs of popular procedures, like joint replacements, three years ago in an effort to encourage consumers to compare prices. However, the study suggests there’s a long way to go and encouraged state and federal lawmakers to require hospitals to publish cost data and for state officials to legislate a maximum amount that hospitals can charge patients. Only Maryland and West Virginia regulate hospital mark-ups, according to the study. Without such protections, uninsured patients are often charged the full cost and may be sent to bill collectors if they don’t pay. Casualty and workers’ compensation insurers and even insured patients who go out of network may also get hit with unexpectedly high bills, according to the study. “Hospitals’ high markups, therefore, subject many vulnerable patients to exceptionally high medical bills, which often leads to personal bankruptcy or the avoidance of needed medical services,” according to the study written by Ge Bai of Washington & Lee University in Virginia and Gerard Anderson of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Community Health System, which posted revenue of $4.91 billion in its first quarter, owns 20 of the highest charging hospitals listed in the study, but a spokeswoman for the company said the data used in the study is based on a price list, which rarely reflects what consumers actually pay because it doesn’t account for discounts or charity care for low-income patients. “Last year, our organization provided over $3.3 billion in charity care, discounts and other uncompensated care for those who can’t afford health care services,” said spokeswoman Tomi Galin. The Federation of American Hospitals said the hospitals named in the study provided nearly $450 million in uncompensated care in 2012. The organization supports greater price transparency, but said it “will not help the average uninsured or underinsured patient. Absent coverage, the true resolution is having programs in place, like those in our hospitals, which offer discounts so that these patients do not have to prioritize concern about their ability to pay over their own health and well-being,” president Chip Kahn said in a statement. California and New Jersey are among states mandated by state laws to provide discounts for certain uninsured patients. The study comes amid criticism of public hospitals by Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott, a former CEO of a for-profit chain of hospitals. He recently suggested that all hospitals receiving taxpayer funds should agree to share profits as the state prepares to lose hundreds of millions of federal funds that help hospitals that treat Medicaid and uninsured patients. Scott has been locked in a showdown – and is even suing – the Obama administration for allegedly withholding those so-called low-income pool hospital funds because Florida won’t expand its Medicaid program. Some hospitals officials say they would be forced to shut down or cut services without those federal funds, but the governor contends the hospitals are not in as bad a financial shape as they claim; Scott has circulated hospital finance data to lawmakers to prove it. He established a commission to examine how hospitals are spending taxpayer funds, including salaries, benefits and lobbying expenses. The Republican governor has been increasingly antagonist toward public hospitals as they have pushed for Medicaid expansion, which Scott is firmly against. “The governor wants to make sure any hospital that receives tax dollars uses them in the most efficient and transparent way possible,” Scott’s spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said. Here is a list of the 50 U.S. hospitals that charge the most for their services: 1. North Okaloosa Medical CenterCrestview, FL 2. Carepoint Health-Bayonne HospitalBayonne, NJ 3. Bayfront HealthBrooksville, FL 4. Paul B Hall Regional Medical CenterPaintsville, KY 5. Chestnut Hill HospitalPhiladelphia 6. Gadsden Regional Medical CenterGadsden, AL 7. Heart of Florida Regional Medical CenterDavenport, FL 8. Orange Park Medical CenterLakeside, FL 9. Western Arizona Regional Medical CenterBullhead City, AZ 10. Oak Hill HospitalBrooksville, FL 11. Texas General HospitalGrand Prairie, TX 12. Fort Walton Beach Medical CenterFort Walton Beach, FL 13. Easton HospitalEaston, PA 14. Brookwood Medical CenterBirmingham, AL 15. National Park Medical CenterHot Springs National Park, AR 16. St. Petersburg General HospitalSt. Petersburg, FL 17. Crozer Chester Medical CenterChester, PA 18. Riverview Regional Medical CenterGadsden, AL 19. Regional Hospital of JacksonJackson, TN 20. Sebastian River Medical CenterSebastian, FL 21. Brandywine HospitalCoatsville, PA 22. Osceola Regional Medical CenterKissimmee, FL 23. Decatur Morgan Hospital-Parkway CampusDecatur, AL 24. Medical Center of Southeastern OklahomaDurant, OK 25. Gulf Coast Medical CenterPanama City, FL 26. South Bay HospitalSun City Center, FL 27. Fawcett Memorial HospitalPort Charlotte, FL 28. North Florida Regional Medical CenterGainesville, FL 29. Doctors Hospital of MantecaManteca, CA 30. Doctors Medical CenterModesto, CA 31. Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute Fort Pierce, FL 32. Lakeway Regional HospitalMorristown, TN 33. Brandon Regional HospitalBrandon, FL 34. Hahnemann University HospitalPhiladelphia 35. Phoenixville HospitalPhoenixville, PA 36. Stringfellow Memorial HospitalAnniston, AL 37. Lehigh Regional Medical CenterLehigh Acres, FL 38. Southside Regional Medical CenterPetersburg, VA 39. Twin Cities HospitalNiceville, FL 40. Olympia Medical CenterLos Angeles 41. Springs Memorial HospitalLancaster, SC 42. Regional Medical Center Bayonet PointHudson, FL 43. Dallas Regional Medical CenterMesquite, TX 44. Laredo Medical CenterLaredo, TX 45. Bayfront Health Dade CityDade City, FL 46. Pottstown Memorial Medical CenterPottstown, PA 47. Dyersburg Regional Medical Center Dyersburg, TN 48. South Texas Health SystemEdinburg, TX 49. Kendall Regional Medical CenterMiami, FL 50. Lake Granbury Medical CenterGranbury, TX