The Florida legislature ended its annual legislative session on Friday after unanimously passing a $117 billion state budget after a tumultuous 60-day battle over abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues.
Nonetheless, as the traditional handkerchief drop and “sign die” proclamation concluded the session, lawmakers left the Capitol, leaving piles of bills on Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk.
Many of them are related to health care.
Supported by Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, DeSantis led a session that reflected the far-right philosophies that have intensified during COVID-19. After initially agreeing to shutdown due to the pandemic, DeSantis quickly established himself as one of his GOP’s most aggressive critics of federal public health measures.
Amid heavy criticism from Democrats, DeSantis has already signed a controversial law banning abortions at six weeks’ gestation.
It also signed restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers and increased penalties related to fentanyl.
But there are more. Here’s a list of health-related measures the governor is ready to consider as we catch up on legislation over the next two months.
Treatment of Transgender: (CS/SB 254): It is a third-degree felony for a health care provider to provide a minor with gender-affirming treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgical procedures. Adults desiring such treatment must sign a consent form and the treatment must be administered by a physician. Prevent the use of telemedicine in providing such care. Defines civil liability for providers who provide such treatment to minors.
Abortion limit (SB 300): Prevents miscarriage after 6 weeks of pregnancy. Allows an exception to abortion for up to 15 weeks for rape, incest, or human trafficking documents. Abortion drugs must be provided directly by a doctor. Prevent abortions through telemedicine. Expand services through organizations that advise women against abortion. Act contingent on the outcome of a Florida Supreme Court challenge as to whether the privacy clause in the state constitution protects abortion rights. signed by the governor.
Prescription drugs: (CS/SB 1550): Hold pharmacy benefits managers accountable, ensure transparency in prescription drug price increases, and appoint a point of contact for consumer complaints involving pharmacy benefits managers. signed by the governor.
Nursing Home Assistance (SB 558): Allows certified nursing assistants to train as “certified medication assistants” and administer certain medications to nursing home residents under the supervision of a nurse.
KidCare Expansion (HB 121): Expand health insurance coverage with the Florida Kidcare Subsidy for families with incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level, or up to $90,000 for a family of four.
Sickle cell (HB 1481): Requires state departments of health to establish and maintain sickle cell registries and requires certain health care providers to notify neonatal and infant physicians of certain screening results associated with sickle cell hemoglobin variants. increase.
Menstrual products in schools (CS/HB 389): Provide free access to tampons and sanitary pads to public school students.
Fentanyl Penalty (CS/HC 1359): Increases criminal penalties for those who sell or traffic fentanyl (or similar controlled substances) that appear to be candies, foods, cereals, gummies, gum, etc., or sell them to minors. signed by the governor.
Hemp Regulation (SB 1676): Enforce child safety regulations for the marketing of hemp products. Includes penalties for “disguising” or making packaging “attractive” to anyone under her 21.
Violence in hospitals (HB 825): Increase criminal penalties for assaulting or assaulting hospital personnel.
Immigration (SB 1718): The sweep immigration bill includes a provision that would require hospitals accepting Medicaid to ask on admission forms whether a patient is a U.S. citizen and legally in the country. The form also informs patients that their responses will not affect care or lead to reporting to immigration authorities.
Duty Free: (HB 7063): Revised tax regulations, including tax exemptions for baby diapers and adult incontinence products.
Physician definition (CS/SB 230): Apply the title or designation “Physician” only to physicians and osteopaths when advertising or dealing with patients.
Pandemic discrimination (CS/SB 252): Prohibits businesses and government agencies from denying service to people who refuse to wear masks or be tested for COVID-19. Prohibits dismissal or refusal of employment based on “post-infection recovery status or lack of COVID-19 testing”.
Kratom regulation (CS/HB 179): Set an age limit for purchasing and consuming kratom at the age of 21.
Marijuana Renewal (CS/HB 387): Allows qualified physicians to perform patient testing and assessments through telemedicine for renewing medical marijuana certification in certain circumstances. Approve more licenses for farmers to enter the cannabis industry.
Student IEP (CS/HB 19): Allows parents of minors with disabilities to remain involved in their child’s individualized education program until age 22.
Provider Accountability (HB 1471): Defines standards of care for surgeons performing gluteal fat graft surgery (aka Brazilian butt lift), including mandating a 1:1 doctor-to-patient ratio. It also establishes an extensive list of rights for nursing home residents, including civil and religious liberties, refusal of medication and treatment, freedom from sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.
This report used information from the AP, Florida News Service, WUSF, and WFSU.
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