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Peter SchorschNovember 16, 2017

In the weeks since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, knocking out power, killing hundreds and leaving many without homes, Tampa Family Health Centers has stepped up to provide medical care to the thousands of Puerto Ricans who fled to the Sunshine State. “At Tampa Family, it is our philosophy that everyone deserves access to quality […]

Ana CeballosNovember 14, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott wants to give $100 million to housing and workforce programs that will aid those impacted by Hurricane Irma — the largest storm to hit the state in decades –, under his proposed state budget for 2018-19. “Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida and affected communities statewide,” Scott said. “Due to the impact […]

Scott PowersNovember 13, 2017

The influx of Puerto Ricans evacuating their devastated homes in Puerto Rico are beginning to test the capacities of Central Florida and in particular Osceola County, and more state coordination is needed, a group of local officials told Gov. Rick Scott Monday. Those officials, including Kissimmee Mayor Jose Alvarez, Osceola County Schools Superintendent Debra Pace, […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2017

The Florida Hospital Association is expressing strong support and “deep appreciation” for a bill by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy that would make Puerto Rican evacuees almost immediately eligible for full Medicaid coverage by the federal government if they have to evacuate to Florida. The hospital association praised Murphy’s “Disaster Displacement Act of 2017,” House Resolution […]

Scott PowersNovember 8, 2017

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The influx of Puerto Rican refugees to Florida may reach the hundreds of thousands, many might stay, and the need to help them recover from Hurricane Maria and assimilate could take years as the commonwealth slowly recovers from the devastation, a group of Central Florida Puerto Rican leaders told Adam Putnam Wednesday. And the Republican gubernatorial […]

Scott PowersNovember 7, 2017

Saying more than 90,000 Puerto Ricans already have evacuated to Florida from Hurricane Maria’s devastation and far more are expected, U.S. Reps. Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy, and Dennis Ross have co-signed a letter sent Monday to federal officials urging Florida get its full funding as a host state to support the migration. The letters to […]

Guest AuthorNovember 7, 2017

The storms that barreled through Florida and wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico are long gone. Their impact, however, continues to be felt by millions. Since September, more than 70,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida after the catastrophic damage of Hurricane Maria. While fleeing from one crisis, they’re now encountering another: finding that their health […]

Scott PowersNovember 1, 2017

Confusion and concern are mounting as Central Florida governments working with Puerto Rican and Virgin Island evacuees await direction from state and federal officials, leaders of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties warned Wednesday. In a letter Wednesday to Florida Division of Emergency Management Interim Director Wesley Maul and copied to FEMA Administrator William Long and […]

Scott PowersOctober 31, 2017

Federal and state comprehensive, strategic plans are desperately needed to coordinate services for Hurricane Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands so that they can best find the services wherever they’re available in Florida, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Tuesday. Jacobs warned that someone needs to be coordinating where tens of […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 30, 2017

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has been indispensable to Puerto Rico as it recovers from Hurricane Maria, and he will be making another trip to the commonwealth Friday. Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello invited him earlier this month. The subject of particular concern is power restoration. Rossello notes that “restoring electricity to our citizens has become a daunting task, […]

Tag: Puerto Rico

Tampa Family Health Centers providing health care to displaced Puerto Ricans

Rick Scott proposes $100 million for Hurricane Irma aid programs

Central Florida officials ask Rick Scott for more coordination for Puerto Rico evacuees

Florida Hospital Association lauds Stephanie Murphy’s ‘Disaster Displacement Act’

Puerto Rico leaders say evacuees’ needs may last years; Adam Putnam pledges help

Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy, Dennis Ross push funding for Puerto Rico evacuees

Stephanie Garris: Free and charitable clinics have important hurricane role

Orange, Osceola, Seminole leaders urge Florida, FEMA to plan better for Puerto Rican refugees

Teresa Jacobs expresses frustration over lack of FEMA, state coordination plans to help evacuees

Rick Scott to offer Puerto Rico more power restoration help