Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is gearing up to unveil his 2024 legislative agenda, and healthcare is taking center stage. DeSantis is committed to collaborating with legislative leaders to address critical healthcare issues in the state.
Increasing Healthcare Providers
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, a Republican from Naples, is spearheading efforts to boost healthcare provider numbers statewide. She highlighted the urgent need for more physicians, nurses, technicians, and facilities to comfortably meet the needs of Florida's population.
House Select Committee On Health Innovation
House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican from Palm Coast, is also focused on healthcare. He established the House Select Committee on Health Innovation, tasked with assessing healthcare access and affordability issues in the state.
Affordable Florida Healthcare Initiatives
Governor DeSantis, in Jacksonville, emphasized ongoing efforts to make healthcare more affordable for Floridians. He pledged to collaborate with Senator Passidomo on healthcare-related initiatives.
Restrictions On Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
DeSantis highlighted a significant achievement: signing a bill in May that places restrictions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). PBMs play a crucial role in negotiating drug prices and act as intermediaries in the healthcare system. The law, effective since July 1, grants the state more authority over PBMs, restricts PBMs with affiliated pharmacy businesses, and prevents PBMs from mandating mail-order prescriptions. The state Cabinet also approved rules establishing application forms for PBMs seeking to operate in Florida, along with fines for operating without state approval.
Inclusive Approach
Senator Passidomo has engaged in extensive discussions with representatives from various healthcare-related groups, including the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Hospital Association, and the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. This collaborative approach mirrors her efforts before the 2023 session when she gathered input for the comprehensive 'Live Local Act' housing bill.
Medicaid Eligibility Expansion
It's worth noting that Republican leaders have ruled out expanding Medicaid eligibility, a request long sought by Democrats. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Democrat from Tampa, criticized the state's stance, describing it as an "unacceptable absence of leadership."
Medicaid Coverage Challenges
In recent months, hundreds of thousands of Floridians, including children, lost Medicaid coverage after the conclusion of a federal public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the emergency, the state couldn't remove individuals from Medicaid, even if they no longer met income-eligibility criteria. Driskell highlighted that nearly 50 percent of disenrollments were due to procedural reasons, where coverage was terminated without determining ineligibility.
Florida healthcare is a top priority on the legislative agenda. Governor DeSantis and legislative leaders are actively addressing challenges and seeking solutions to improve healthcare access and affordability for the state's residents.
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