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This week, FOMA President Bruce Rankin, DO, served as Doctor of the Day in the Florida Senate. Established in the 1960s, the Doctor of the Day Program allows physicians to serve in the Florida House and Senate chambers and be available for medical treatment if necessary or render care in the legislative clinic. 

While in Tallahassee, Dr. Rankin visited with legislators and members of the FSU Football Team.  Thank you, Dr. Rankin, for taking time out of your schedule to serve the Florida Legislature and those who may need care while visiting the capitol. 

The third week of the 2025 Legislative Session was busy for healthcare-related legislation as lawmakers advanced multiple measures affecting physicians, insurers, and patients. We are happy to report the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee passed HB 1231 (Insurance Claims Payments to Physicians by Black), a priority bill championed by FOMA, FMA, and our advocacy partners. This patient-centered legislation prohibits health insurers and HMOs from mandating credit card-only payments. It also authorizes electronic funds transfers for payments subject to written consent and physician-approved fees. 

In addition, HB 1231 specifies conditions under which insurers or HMOs may deny claims involving procedures under a prior authorization. It also implements provisions addressing denials due to changes in medical necessity or added procedures. 

Serving as Doctor of the Day in the Florida Senate, FOMA President Bruce Rankin, DO, visits with Rep. Phillip Wayne ''Griff'' Griffitts Jr.

Senate Sargent of Arms. Damian Kelly & FOMA President Bruce Rankin, DO.

Dr. Rankin visits with FSU Football Players

Despite opposition, House committees passed HB 947 & HB 6017, medical malpractice legislation, repealing the prohibition on adult children and parents recovering damages for medical negligence resulting in death and broadening the range of admissible evidence in personal injury and wrongful death cases. The FOMA and our advocacy partners continue educating and working with legislators to address concerns and potential impacts on the healthcare system. 

The Senate passed SB 0294 by a vote of 38-0. This priority bill revises the definition of “chronic health condition” in collaborative pharmacy practice to exclude certain heart conditions. SB 0294 is now in the House for consideration. 

Legislative Highlights

Scope of Practice



SB 0294 – Collaborative Pharmacy Practice for Chronic Health Conditions by Harrell

The Senate passed SB 0294 by a vote of 38-0. The bill revises the definition of “chronic health condition” in collaborative pharmacy practice to exclude certain heart conditions. SB 0294 is now in the House for consideration.

HB 0449 – Optometry by Rizo

The House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee passed HB 0449 by a vote of 12-6. As amended, the bill expands the scope of optometric practice, authorizing certified optometrists to perform certain procedures, revises formulary provisions, and sets new advertising and licensing standards. HB 0449 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB 1297 – Electronic Prescribing by Partington

The House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee passed HB 1297 by a vote of 18-0. The bill expands the list of practitioners required to electronically transmit prescriptions and revises exemptions. HB 1297 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

Medical Malpractice

HB 0947 – Evidence of Damages to Prove Medical Expenses by Blanco

The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee passed HB 0947 by a vote of 15-0. As amended, the bill allows broader evidence to be presented at trial to determine the value of unpaid past and future medical expenses in personal injury and wrongful death cases, leaving it to the court to decide what is admissible. It maintains the current rule that only amounts actually paid are admissible for past paid medical expenses. HB 0947 is now in the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 6017 – Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death by Trabulsy

The House Judiciary Committee passed HB 6017 by a vote of 20-1. The bill repeals the prohibition on adult children and parents recovering damages for medical negligence resulting in death. HB 6017 is now on the House Special Order Calendar for 03/26/25.

Insurance & Prescription Drugs/Devices

SB 0126 – Prescription Hearing Aids by Bradley

The Senate passed SB 0126 by a vote of 39-0. The bill authorizes the distribution of prescription hearing aids through the mail under specified conditions. SB 0126 is now in the House for consideration.

SB 0158 – Coverage for Diagnostic and Supplemental Breast Examinations by Berman

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed SB 0158 by a vote of 18-0. The bill prohibits cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the State Group Insurance Program. SB 0158 is now on the Senate calendar for second reading.

HB 1101 – Out-of-Network Providers by Albert

The House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee passed HB 1101 by a vote of 15-2. The bill requires healthcare practitioners to notify patients when referring them to out-of-network providers and mandates insurers to apply payments toward deductibles if certain conditions are met. HB 1101 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB 1231 – Insurance Claims Payments to Physicians by Black

The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee passed HB 1231 by a vote of 15-0. The bill prohibits insurers and HMOs from requiring physicians to accept credit card payments exclusively and bars denial of claims previously authorized. HB 1231 is now in the House Commerce Committee.

SB 1360 – Controlled Substances by Leek

The Senate Criminal Justice Committee passed SB 1360 by a vote of 8-1. As amended, the bill adds xylazine as a Schedule III substance and imposes penalties for unlawful possession and distribution. SB 1360 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice.

HB 1437 – Attorney Fees and Costs for Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protection Benefits by Snyder

The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee passed HB 1437 by a vote of 17-0. The bill entitles prevailing healthcare providers to recover attorney fees and costs in PIP claims. HB 1437 is now in the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee.

SB 1656 – Insurance Regulations by Collins

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee passed SB 1656 by a vote of 7-0. The bill designates the Chief Financial Officer as the agent for service of process on HMOs and increases rate transparency requirements. SB 1656 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.

Health Care Procedure & Facility Regulation

SB 1370 – Ambulatory Surgical Centers by Trumbull

The Senate Health Policy Committee passed SB 1370 by a vote of 9-0. The bill sets requirements for licensing, inspections, reporting, and internal risk management for ambulatory surgical centers. SB 1370 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 0475 – Ambulatory Surgical Centers by Esposito

The House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee passed HB 0475 by a vote of 17-0. The bill mirrors Senate provisions on licensing and operations for surgical centers. HB 0475 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB 1083 – Patient Access to Records by Booth

The House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee passed HB 1083 by a vote of 17-0. The bill sets clear timeframes for facilities and providers to furnish patient records upon request. HB 1083 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

Public Health

SB 0714 – Nonopioid Advance Directives by Burton

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services passed SB 0714 by a vote of 9-0. As amended, the bill directs the Department of Health to create a voluntary nonopioid advance directive form and outlines its use and revocation process. SB 0714 is now in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee.

SB 0958 – Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection Program by Bernard

The Senate Health Policy Committee passed SB 0958 by a vote of 9-0. As amended, the bill requires DOH to develop and distribute Type 1 diabetes informational materials to parents of young students beginning September 2025. SB 0958 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services.

HB 1089 – Newborn Screenings by Booth

The House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee passed HB 1089 by a vote of 17-0. The bill requires the Department of Health to include Duchenne muscular dystrophy in its newborn screening panel. HB 1089 is now in the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee.

HB 1421 – Improving Screening for and Treatment of Blood Clots by Black

The House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee passed HB 1421 by a vote of 18-0. As amended, the bill requires DOH to establish a registry on blood clot risk, mandates reporting by certain facilities, and updates training and admission policies for affected care settings. HB 1421 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB 1567 – Insulin Administration by Direct-Support Professionals and Relatives by Tuck

The House Human Services Subcommittee passed HB 1567 by a vote of 17-0. As amended, the bill allows direct-support professionals and relatives of individuals in group home facilities for people with developmental disabilities to administer insulin. The bill establishes training and oversight requirements for unlicensed direct service providers who supervise self-administration of insulin and epinephrine. HB 1567 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

SB 1736 – Insulin Administration by Direct-Support Professionals and Relatives by Grall

The Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee passed SB 1736 by a vote of 6-0. The bill defines "direct-support professional" and authorizes these professionals and relatives to administer insulin to clients in group homes under specified conditions. SB 1736 is now in the Senate Health Policy Committee.

Mental Health & Substsance Abuse

HB 0633 – Behavioral Health Managing Entities by Koster

The House Human Services Subcommittee passed HB 0633 by a vote of 17-0. The bill mandates standardized data reporting by managing entities and requires DCF to submit a final audit report to the Governor and Legislature. HB 0633 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB 1091 – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care by Gonzalez Pittman

The House Human Services Subcommittee passed HB 1091 by a vote of 16-0. As amended, the bill integrates the 988 Lifeline into the state system, refines involuntary placement procedures, and expands licensing flexibility for MAT providers. HB 1091 is now in the House Health & Human Services Committee.

HB 1207 – Mental Health by Cobb

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed HB 1207 by a vote of 16-0. The bill supports pilot programs for forensic mental health diversion, requires inmate evaluations, and creates a statewide behavioral health data repository. HB 1207 is now in the House Human Services Subcommittee.

SB 1240 – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care by Calatayud

The Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee passed SB 1240 by a vote of 6-0. As amended, the bill formally incorporates the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline into Florida’s crisis response system, updates forensic training, and removes the MAT program needs assessment. SB 1240 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services.

FOMA Bill Tracking Report - Week 3

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