2024 Legislative Session - Week One Update
Tuesday, January 9, marked the start of the 2024 legislative session. FHCA's Government Affairs team hit the ground running to make important connections between the members in town and the lawmakers that are key to our sector. This year's top legislative priority is securing a Medicaid funding increase to support providers' ongoing workforce challenges and the rising costs associated with operating your centers. As part of that effort, our team is using data from the member workforce survey we conducted in November and launching a digital campaign that focuses on the workforce shortage and the growing aging population, and asks the question, "Who will care, Florida?"
Two key provisions of Senate President Passidomo’s signature legislation, “Live Healthy”, passed unanimously out of the Fiscal Policy Committee. The bills, SB 7016 presented by Sen. Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) and SB 7018 by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R- Stuart) now advance to the full Senate chamber for a vote. “Live Healthy” is a package of bills that address the increasing demand for health care services from a growing state population and includes incentives for training and educating the health care workforce. A House companion, HB 1549 by Rep. Michael Grant (R-Port Charlotte), is slated to be heard in committee today.
Another portion of the “Live Healthy” package, the “MOBILE Act” was introduced last week. Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) is carrying SB 1600 and Rep. Alvarez (R-Riverview) has the House companion, HB 1381. These bills allow for licensure by endorsement if the applicant meets all of the criteria. The legislation is meant to streamline the licensure process for out-of-state practitioners moving to Florida. Among a few other criteria, the applicant must have a clear license from the other state, pass a level 2 background screen, and pass any Florida specific exam in order to receive a license. This applies to most positions licensed by the Department of Health including nursing home administrators, RNs, LPNs, OT, PT, Respiratory Therapists, Dietitians, and Clinical Social Workers.
A priority bill for FHCA, the Veteran’s Long-term Care Facilities Admissions bill, was passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services. SB 174 now has one more committee to pass in the Senate. The bill revises the admission eligibility requirements for veteran’s nursing centers to allow admission of spouses and gold star parents.
Next week, FHCA will kick off its Lobby Wednesdays, sponsored by Marsh McLennan Agency, Medline Industries and Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc. Remember to stay up to date on our legislative activity via this weekly Focus on Florida e-newsletter and our social media channels