Legislative Update
September 7, 2021

Paul D. Seltzer, DO, Legislative Chair
Stephen R. Winn, ED
Michelle W. Larson, Assoc. ED
Jason D. Winn, Esq.
Summary
In preparation for the 2022 Legislative Session scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, legislators will begin interim committee meetings’ Monday, September 20, 2021. The FOMA’s governmental affairs team is monitoring the process and will regularly report on events as they unfold. Presently, eight healthcare-related bills were filed, and we anticipate this number will increase substantially this month.   
Speaker Sprowls Releases Committee & Reapportionment Committee Assignments
Senate President Simpson Releases Reapportionment Committee Assignments
Medical Malpractice
Representative Roach has filed HB 6011 relating to the recovery of damages in medical negligence claims.  This would allow the parent of an adult child to sue under medical malpractice.  Presently, Florida is the only state that prohibits such lawsuits. Similar language passed out of the full House last session but died in the Senate.   
Telehealth
Rekindling last session’s efforts to revise certain practice standards for telehealth, Representative Fabricio recently filed HB 19. This legislation would allow any controlled substance not listed as Schedule II to be prescribed through telehealth. Under the proposed language, Schedule II substances could only be prescribed through telehealth under the following circumstances: the treatment of a psychiatric disorder; Inpatient treatment at a hospital licensed under chapter 395; the treatment of a patient receiving hospice service, and the treatment of a nursing-home facility resident. This language almost passed last session, dying due to other policy considerations within the larger legislative package.   
Vaccination Policy
Representative Sabatini has filed HB 6009 relating to vaccinations during public health emergencies.   The bill removes the authority of the State Health Officer to order the vaccination of individuals upon declaration of a public health emergency.  

On the other side of the vaccination field, Representative Grieco filed HB 047 relating to fraudulent proof of vaccination. The bill would make it a third-degree felony if a person counterfeits, forges, alters, clones, or possesses a certificate, card, or other physical or electronic medium who falsely indicates that the holder has been vaccinated against a specific disease. 
Bill Tracking
To review the legislation contained in the tracking report in greater detail:

  • Click on the Bill Number Link.

  • This will take you to a shared LobbyTools webpage.
  • Find the section titled Bill Text and Amendments

  • Click on the PDF link
Interim Calendar 2021-22
  • September 20 – September 24
  • October 11 – October 15
  • October 18 – October 22
  • November 1 – November 5
  • November 15 – November 19
  • November 29 – December 3
In the News
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Rules Changed On Updates For Medicaid Managed Care Plans

Florida Medicaid managed care plans and managed dental plans soon won't be required to send twice-a-month updates to health care providers who have filed complaints against them. The written updates provide information about the status of...

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health.wusf.usf.edu