2024 Legislative Session - Week Two Update

Listed in: Legislative

This was the first Lobby Wednesday of the 2024 session, which included representatives from DOS Health Care, MenorahLife, Health Services Management, Elite Medical Staffing, Polaris Pharmacy Services and the Florida Leaders program. We also welcomed team members from Medline Industries and Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc., two of our three our Legislative Initiatives Sponsors.

Legislative action included the Senate passing two key provisions of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s (R-Naples) signature legislation, “Live Healthy." The bills focus on developing the pipeline of health care workers in the state with a heavy emphasis in the areas of primary care, dental, and mental health. SB 7016 by Sen. Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) and SB 7018 by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R- Stuart) provide loan repayment programs and reimbursement assistance for education and training, divert patients with non-emergent care needs from emergency departments, and provide low-cost loans for innovations in health care service delivery and technology. The bills were sent to the House “in Messages” to be considered. The House companions, HB 1549 by Rep. Michael Grant (R-Port Charlotte) and HB 1501 by Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman (R-Tampa) were passed unanimously out of their first committees last week, but are still scheduled for several House committees before they can advance.

The Veteran’s Long-term Care Facilities Admissions bill receives its first House committee hearing today. HB 725 by Rep. Marie Woodson (D-Pembroke Pines) is being presented in the Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee. The bill revises the admission eligibility requirements for veteran’s nursing centers to allow admission of spouses and is a priority for FHCA.