FL S0044

Appropriates $1,382,500 from the General Revenue Fund to compensate Cristina Alvarez for the death of her son, Nicholas Patnode, a 5-month-old who died from bacterial meningitis due to negligence at the Martin County Health Department on January 10, 1998.

Appropriates $782,500 from the General Revenue Fund to compensate George Patnode for the death of his son Nicholas Patnode under the same circumstances.

Requires the Department of Health to repay the Agency for Health Care Administration all unreimbursed Medicaid medical payments, with such amounts deducted equally from both parents' awards.

Limits attorney fees relating to this claim to a maximum of 25 percent of the total amount awarded under the act.

Directs the Chief Financial Officer to draw warrants and disburse the appropriated funds to each parent from the Department of Health's State Treasury funds.