The Florida Senate approved an $800 million legislative package meant to strengthen the state's healthcare workforce and advance access to care.
The Live Healthy Act — made up of bills SB 7016 and SB 7018 — was unanimously approved in a Jan. 18 vote. The legislation package includes millions in tuition assistance for nurses, physicians and other medical professionals.
SB 7016 — the main bill that earmarks more than $716 million for a broad range of workforce efforts — includes a requirement for all hospitals with emergency departments to submit a diversion plan to the state that details how they will support patients in accessing the appropriate care setting when they present to the ED with a non emergency condition or are not connected with a primary care provider. Those plans must include a partnership agreement with at least one local federally qualified health center or other primary care setting, and/or the establishment of a hospital-owned urgent care center adjacent to the hospital ED or an agreement with a nearby urgent care center.
The second bill, SB 7018, sets aside $50 million for healthcare innovation efforts.
The act now heads to the Florida House of Representatives. When asked whether the governor will support the healthcare package, a spokesperson for Gov. Ron Desantis told the Orlando Sentinel, that Mr. DeSantis "will review the legislation once it's in its final form and delivered to our office."