Scott seeks stories of hospital ‘gouging’

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday continued trying to increase pressure for changes in the hospital industry, calling on patients to submit information about experiences with “price gouging.” Scott issued a news release saying patients should contact the state Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding with such stories. The news release came as the commission, created by Scott this year, met at the Capitol. Scott, who made millions of dollars running a hospital chain, last month accused hospitals of price gouging as he announced a series of proposals aimed at revamping the industry. The proposals, in part, would require hospitals to post online the prices and average payments for services they provide. The hospital industry has disputed Scott’s assertions.

News Service of Florida

Paulson: Dyer too close to Republicans

Paul Paulson, who had previously billed himself as the Republican candidate in Orlando’s nonpartisan mayoral race, now says Buddy Dyer is too close to prominent GOPers, including Gov. Rick Scott. In a new mailer, Paulson slams Dyer for refusing to endorse “People’s Governor Charlie Crist” during Crist’s campaign against Scott last year, “most likely costing Crist and Democratic progressives the Governor’s mansion.” Earlier in the race, Paulson sent a mailing asking voters to help “elect a new Republican mayor” by supporting him, despite a statute prohibiting candidates from campaigning based on party in nonpartisan contests. The new mailer accuses Dyer of neglecting Orlando’s neighborhoods in favor of downtown projects for his “millionaire Republican developer friends” and embracing a Nixonian “benign neglect” approach to Parramore.

Jeff Weiner

Deputies: Felon’s death was homicide

The death of a 19-year-old man found Monday in a ditch near Apopka has been ruled a homicide, Orange County deputies said Tuesday.

A passer-by discovered the body of Angel Miguel Cruz in a wooded area near Golden Gem Road about 2 p.m. Monday and called authorities.

Deputies found Cruz in a ditch with apparent gunshot wounds. Cruz was reported missing Oct. 17 from a Travelodge in Belle Isle, deputies said.

Records show Cruz was released from prison March 8. He was charged as an adult and found guilty in a 2011 aggravated assault with a weapon case. He was 15 at the time. Tipsters can call 800-423-8477.

Tiffany Walden

OPD: Man shot in downtown

Orlando police are investigating after a man was shot in the back in downtown Tuesday night.

Lt. Alejandro Caro said a man was approached by two men who asked him for change. When he declined, one of the men pulled out a handgun.

The man was running away when he was shot in the back, Caro said.

It happened around 7:45 p.m. on Washington Street near Terry Avenue.

The man was taken to the hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

No arrests have been made.

David Harris