Florida Senate’s Bold Plan to Boost Healthcare Workforce
TL/DR –
The Florida Senate is preparing to pass a broad health care plan aimed at increasing the number of doctors, steering patients away from emergency rooms for non-critical care, and promoting health innovation. The plan, prioritised by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, includes two bills that could potentially increase access to healthcare in Florida by expanding medical residency programs and facilitating practice for foreign doctors in the state. The plan, which is estimated to cost about $800 million in state and federal funds, also proposes to establish a $75 million revolving-loan fund to support health innovation efforts.
Florida Senate Nears Approval of Comprehensive Health Care Plan
The Florida Senate is on the brink of endorsing a comprehensive health care plan aimed at increasing the number of doctors, steering patients away from emergency rooms, and fostering innovation. The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee has unanimously passed the two bills that make up this plan.
The plan is amongst the top priorities of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who along with fellow supporters, believes that the bill will play a pivotal role in improving health care access in Florida. As part of this initiative, one bill (SB 7016) proposes measures, including financial resources, to expand medical residency programs and retain more new doctors in Florida.
“My goal is to ensure our health-care system continuously grows and innovates to better serve all Floridians,” commented Passidomo, emphasizing the urgency to expand Florida’s healthcare workforce.
Workforce Enhancement and Health Care Accessibility
Sponsored by Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, the plan also seeks to facilitate the practice of overseas doctors in Florida. This 234-page bill presents a broad spectrum of issues and is expected to employ approximately $800 million in state and federal money, said Burton.
The bill also aims to encourage patients to seek non-emergency treatments from facilities like urgent-care centers and federally qualified health centers, rather than emergency rooms. As part of their licensing process, hospitals will be required to provide plans for aiding patients to access appropriate care settings for non-emergency health care needs.
Supporters of the plan range from the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida and the Florida Dental Association to The Arc of Florida, which serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Advanced Birth Centers and Health Innovation Efforts
Despite gaining unanimous support from Democrats on the Republican-led committee, the bill has raised concerns over its proposal to permit “advanced birth centers” to provide cesarean-section deliveries for low-risk pregnancies.
Another bill (SB 7018), introduced by Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, proposes a $75 million revolving-loan fund to support health innovation efforts. This bill also seeks to establish a 15-member council to review loan applications and provide recommendations to the Department of Health.
Similar Measures and Future Plans
A similar health-innovation measure (HB 1501), sponsored by Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman, R-Tampa, was approved by the House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee. House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, has also expressed support for Passidomo’s plan, termed “Live Healthy,” which will be considered by the House Select Committee on Health Innovation through a similar 315-page bill (HB 1549), sponsored by House Majority Leader Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte.
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