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Live Healthy Bill Signing, Bonita Springs, Florida

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the Governor approved HB 7016 and SB 7018, the Live Healthy initiative. According to the Governor’s press release, "Live Healthy will enhance health care across Florida by offering new training opportunities, improving access to healthcare services in rural areas, and promoting technological advancements."

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Senator Colleen Burton, and Senator Gayle Harrell, who spearheaded the measure, attended the bill signing held in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Speaking on the legislation, Governor DeSantis commented: 

“We are taking action to bolster our health care workforce to keep pace with our state’s unprecedented growth. I applaud Senate President Passidomo for her dedication to this cause, which contributes to positioning Florida as the freest and healthiest state in the nation.”

In addition to SB 7016 and 7018, the Governor also signed three other health care related bills into law during the event:

• CS/SB 330 – Behavioral Health Teaching Hospitals
• SB 322- Public Records and Meetings
• CS/CS/SB 1758 – Individuals with Disabilities

Bills Signed into Law

SB 0322 Public Records and Meetings by Burton

SB 322 creates public records and public meeting exemptions for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, and the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.

Approved by Governor 03/21/2024

SB 0330 Behavioral Health Teaching Hospitals by Boyd

The bill creates the designation of behavioral health teaching hospitals to advance Florida’s behavioral health systems of care by creating a new integrated care and education model.

Approved by Governor 03/21/2024

HB 0865 Youth Athletic Activities by Yeager

The bill requires that a Florida public school athletic coach must hold and maintain a certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and the use of an automated external defibrillator. The certification must be consistent with national, evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines.

Approved by Governor 03/22/2024

SB 1512 Controlled Substances by Brodeur

The bill amends s. 893.13, F.S., to add tianeptine to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Schedule I substances have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

Approved by Governor 03/22/2024

SB 1758 Individuals with Disabilities by Brodeur

The bill, in part, requires AHCA, the APD, and other stakeholders to develop a plan for a new home and community-based services Medicaid waiver program for clients transitioning to adulthood and requires a report to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 1, 2024, on the progress of this plan.

Approved by Governor 03/21/2024

SB 7016 Health Care by Health Policy

The bill is the flagship of the 2024 “Live Healthy” initiative. The bill revises preexisting health care programs, creates new programs, revises licensure and regulatory requirements for health care practitioners and facilities, creates new provisions within programs relating to health care practitioner education, amends the state Medicaid program, and appropriates both general revenue and trust fund dollars to grow Florida’s health care workforce and increase access to health care services.

Approved by Governor 03/21/2024

SB 7018 Health Care Innovation by Health Policy

The bill sets forth legislative intent related to health care innovation in this state and creates a framework to implement that intent. The purpose is to harness the innovation and creativity of entrepreneurs and businesses, in collaboration with the state’s health care system and stakeholders, to lead the discussion on innovations that will address challenges in the health care system and to transform the delivery and strengthen the quality of health care in Florida.

Approved by Governor 03/21/2024

Bills Transmitted to the Governor for Review

SB 0066 Revive Awareness Day by Brodeur

SB 66 creates “Victoria’s Law” and designates June 6 of each year as “Revive Awareness Day.” The bill allows the Governor to issue an annual proclamation for the designation of June 6th as “Revive Awareness Day.” The bill encourages the Department of Health (DOH) to hold events to raise awareness of the dangers of opioid overdose and the availability and safe use of opioid antagonists.

The Governor must act on this bill by 04/11/24.

HB 0201 Emergency Refills of Insulin and Insulin-related Supplies or Equipment by Bell

HB 201 expands the authority to dispense an emergency refill of insulin by eliminating both the one-vial limit and the one-time limit. The bill allows the pharmacist to dispense enough insulin until the patient can secure a current prescription order from their primary care physician. HB 201 allows a pharmacist to dispense emergency refills of insulin up to three nonconsecutive times per calendar year, per patient.

The bill also authorizes a pharmacist to dispense an emergency refill of insulin-related supplies or equipment, if the pharmacist is unable to readily obtain refill authorization from a prescriber. In addition, HB 201 allows a pharmacist to dispense emergency refills of insulin-related supplies or equipment up to three nonconsecutive times per calendar year, per patient.

The Governor must act on this bill by 04/11/24.

HB 0241 Coverage for Skin Cancer Screenings by Massullo, MD

HB 241 requires the state group health insurance plan (plan) to provide coverage for annual skin cancer screening by a dermatologist, physician assistant, or an advanced registered practice nurse. The bill prohibits the plan from imposing a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost sharing requirement for such coverage. 

The bill prohibits the plan’s insurers and health plans from bundling payments for skin cancer screenings with any other procedure or service, including evaluations or management visits, which are performed during the same or subsequent office visit.

The Governor must act on this bill by 04/11/24.

HB 0883 Short-acting Bronchodilator Use in Public and Private Schools by Koster

The bill authorizes specified health care practitioners to prescribe short-acting bronchodilators and components in the name of a public school or private school. Additionally, the bill authorizes a licensed pharmacist to dispense short-acting bronchodilators and components to a prescription issued in the name of a public or private school. It also provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for schools, trained school personnel, and health care practitioners who act in accordance with the provisions of the bill.

The Governor must act on this bill by 04/11/24.

Coming Soon - FOMA 2024 Know the Issues

The FOMA 2024 Know the Issues is forthcoming and will be published soon after the Governor makes his final determination on transmitted legislation. This comprehensive document will offer a complete analysis of legislation passed during this session, detailing its impact on the osteopathic profession and patients and outlining any actionable items for our members.