Castor Wants New DeSantis 'Emergency Order' for Hospital Staffing

With a surge in COVID-19 cases across the Sunshine State, the Florida Hospital Association reports that facilities are facing a critical staffing shortage. In turn, Florida lawmakers are turning to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) for assistance. Florida Rep. Kathy Castor (D) signaled the help that hospitals require at this moment, commenting that an “emergency order” is necessary.

“I’m asking the governor to issue an emergency order so that we can unlock additional staff,” Rep. Castor said.

New reports indicate that the state of Florida averages 250 COVID-19 deaths a day. Earlier this month, a news conference was held regarding the Delta variant at Lykes Gaslight Park in Tampa. Leaders from three of the top hospital systems commented on how COVID-19 is affecting the state and healthcare workers.

“We need clinical nurses, respiratory therapists,” said BayCare Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nishant Anand. “Staffing is our number one need,” added Anand.

As a result of a shortage in staff across Florida, Florida Rep. Castor urged “the governor to issue an emergency order so that we can unlock additional staff.”

Last year, Governor DeSantis issued an executive order that allowed any hospital from receiving help from any licensed healthcare worker from out of state. However, the executive order has expired, and licensed healthcare workers from out of the state are not working  within the state anymore.