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This week, the House and Senate took no action concerning international drug reference pricing. Having yet to receive a hearing in the Senate, and with two committees remaining in the House, the measure is on life support with two weeks remaining in the session. The House bill did pass its first committee and, therefore, could be amended to other legislation under the House Rules. We continue monitoring the process for amendments.  

Jason D. Winn, Esq. speaks with the Medical School Deans in Tallahassee

The legislature continues moving a robust health care agenda as we head into the final two weeks of the session, passing several health care bills in committee and off the House and Senate floor, including the Senate's Live Health Plan, SB 7018, and SB 7016.  Soon, Senate and House budget conferees will meet in conference to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to reconcile their differences and pass the FY 2024-25 General Appropriations Act.  The FOMA's legislative team is monitoring events on the ground in Tallahassee and will keep you informed as we near the finish line.  

Legislative Highlights

SB 7016 Health Care by Health Policy

SB 7018 Health Care Innovation by Health Policy

The House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the Live Healthy legislation by a vote of 117 to 1. SB 7016 and 7018 are eligible to be transmitted to the Governor for consideration. 

SB 7016 revises and establishes policy relating to the state's healthcare workforce, healthcare services, healthcare practitioner licensure and regulation, healthcare facility licensure and regulation, the Medicaid program, and health-care-related education programs. The bill also provides that Florida will enter the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

The second part of the plan, SB 7018, establishes the Health Care Innovation Council within the Department of Health (DOH) to develop best practice recommendations for improving health care delivery and outcomes in Florida. In addition, the legislation establishes a revolving loan program within the DOH to fund innovative technologies, workforce pathways, or service delivery models. The council will review loan applications and submit to the DOH a prioritized list of proposals recommended for funding. Loan recipients enter into agreements with the DOH for loans of up to 10-year terms for up to 50 percent of the proposal costs or up to 80 percent of the costs for an applicant that is located in a rural or medically underserved area and is either a rural hospital or a nonprofit entity that accepts Medicaid patients.

HB 0159 HIV Prevention Drugs by Franklin II

The House unanimously passed HB 159 concerning HIV prevention drugs. HB 159 is now in messages to the Senate.  

HB 159 allows licensed pharmacists to screen adults for HIV exposure and provide the results of such screening. A pharmacist who has screened a patient for HIV must advise the patient to seek further medical consultation or treatment from a physician. HB 159 also establishes a process by which a pharmacist may become certified to order and dispense postexposure prophylaxis under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician.

The Senate Companion, SB 1320, has one committee stop remaining, the Senate Rules Committee, and is on the agenda for Monday, February 26, 2024.

SB 0516 Emergency Refills of Insulin and Insulin-related Supplies or Equipment by Rodriguez

The Senate Rules Committee unanimously passed SB 516 concerning emergency insulin refills. SB 516 eliminates the one-vial limit on emergency insulin refills and expands the current law on emergency insulin refills to include related supplies and equipment. Under the measure, if unable to obtain a prescriber authorization, a pharmacist may dispense, up to three nonconsecutive times per calendar year, an emergency refill of insulin and insulin-related supplies or equipment to treat diabetes.

The identical House Companion, HB 201, has passed all referenced committees and is eligible for House consideration.

For more information on legislation of interest adopted in committee, please see the FOMA Bill Tacking Report Below.

FOMA Bill Tracking Report

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