The Legislature on Tuesday formally sent at least 27 bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis, including a measure that would create a new category of “rural emergency hospitals” that backers say would help ensure health care access in rural areas.
If approved, rural hospitals will be eligible to receive additional federal funding.
“The intent was to give rural hospitals another option in the event that they are struggling financially," said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, which advocates for more than 200 hospitals in the state.
The measure (SB 644) stems from a federal law that allowed the designation of rural emergency hospitals and made them eligible for Medicare payments. The hospitals are required to be licensed by states, creating a need for the bill.
Under the Florida bill, hospitals must provide emergency and observation care and outpatient services that do not exceed a length of stay of 24 hours. They would be exempted from requirements about providing inpatient care and such things as surgical care.
“Any parent that lives this far from a hospital has some major concerns, and they should," says Gadsden County Commissioner Brenda Holt, who lost her child years ago to heart failure. "You’re paying your taxes, you’re doing everything — so why can't we have good health care.”
Other bills related to health care sent to the governor:
- A measure (HB 705) to establish a $10 million grant program to fund community projects for specialized treatments of sickle cell disease.
- A bill (HB 7009) that would saves from scheduled repeal the public record exemption in the state's Baker Act.
- Bills that would streamline the dental licensure process (SB 938) and establish telehealth standards for dentists (HB 855) .
- A measure (HB 1259) amending licensing requirements to allow Level I adult cardiovascular service programs to use specified tools and treatments.
Information from WFSU's Adrian Andrews was used in this report.
Copyright 2024 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7
