Diagnosis for 4.14.25: Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy

Welcome back to Diagnosis, a vertical that focuses on the crossroads of health care policy and politics.

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— Vax bias—

A Department of Health bill that includes a provision prohibiting health care providers from discriminating against patients based on vaccine status marched through the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services last week, but not without pushback from both sides of the aisle.

SB 1270, sponsored by Sen. Jay Collins, includes a long list of regulatory changes for DOH, including guidelines for medical marijuana treatment centers, authorization for certain physician assistants to be issued temporary certificates for practice in areas of critical need, and rules for cultivation, processing, packaging, and dispensing marijuana, including safety and labeling standards.

However, vaccine language is drawing the most attention.

As written, SB 1270 would expand the Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights to prohibit “a health care provider or health care facility may not discriminate against a patient based solely upon the patient’s vaccination status.”

The language caught flack from Sen. Gayle Harrell, who sits on the subcommittee and serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee. The Stuart Republican said the requirement could interfere with physicians’ medical judgment.

Harrell joined Democratic Sens. Darryl Rouson and Lori Berman in voting against the bill, but the bill earned support from every other Republican on the panel.

The subcommittee stop was the second of three committee references for SB 1270, which now heads to Rules. If enacted, the bill would go into effect July 1.

— Just deserts —

Floridians Deserve Health Care held an event at the Capitol last week, during which Floridians shared their health care access-related experiences and concerns.

Issues at the forefront included the Medicaid coverage gap, fears of potential cuts, and struggles with medical debt. Event attendees also expressed support for a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid.

Florida is one of 10 states that have not embraced Medicaid expansion in the decade-plus since the Affordable Care Act’s implementation. Analysts estimate expansion would extend coverage to more than 800,000 Floridians.

“We have to decide where our priorities are as a nation, as a state, as a people. I’m focusing on the people. For me, health care is a right — it’s not a privilege. Everybody should have access to it. I’m here to ensure that every single person has the right to be healthy, prosperous, and safe,” said Democratic Rep. Dotie Joseph, who is sponsoring a bill this Session (HB 1507) to provide coverage for Floridians in the coverage gap.

The Committee has not heard Joseph’s bill and likely won’t be in the Republican-dominated House.

Florida Voices for Health Advocacy Director Acadia Jacob added, “Everywhere that Floridians are dealing with barriers to care, our small but mighty team treks around the state, visiting clinics, charities, churches, health departments, hospitals and homes.

“In all my time, one thing has become abundantly clear: regardless of background or identity, Floridians are sick and tired of being sick and tired. That’s why we bring their real health care stories to the Capitol — to make sure lawmakers remember who to prioritize in the budget and their legislation.”

— TGH greatness —

Becker’s Hospital Review says Tampa General Hospital President and CEO John Couris is a “Great Leader in Healthcare.”

According to Becker’s, the designation reflects Couris’ leadership and transformative impact on health care in the Tampa Bay area.

Since taking the helm at TGH in 2017, the organization has expanded from 17 care locations to more than 150 statewide. Couris also led TGH’s successful acquisition of the Bravera Health Network in 2023. They partnered with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County to enhance services at Lakeside Medical Center.

Couris has focused on improving care quality, achieving top decile performance in quality metrics according to Vizient, and realizing substantial cost savings through operational efficiencies. He has also spearheaded a $550 million master facility plan to advance technology and care in the region, contributing to the development of the Tampa Medical & Research District.

“Under John’s leadership, Tampa General has fostered a culture of excellence for all of our team members,” said Drew Graham, Chair of the TGH Board of Directors. “His visionary approach and dedication to continuous improvement have made Tampa General a leading health care provider in the region, and we are proud to see him recognized as a Great Leader in Healthcare.”

Couris added, “I am incredibly honored to be included alongside an impressive cohort of my colleagues across the health care industry. To have Tampa General represented is a direct result of our team’s collective commitment to transforming health care and delivering exceptional, patient-centered care and reflects our shared vision of being one of the nation’s most innovative health systems.”

— Roster —

HCA Florida Healthcare announced last week that Cameron Howard took over as CEO of Oviedo Medical Center, effective March 24.

“Cameron’s dedication to high-quality patient care and pursuit of excellence ideally suit him to lead the exceptional team at Oviedo Medical Center,” HCA Healthcare North Florida Division President Brian Cook said.

“With more than a decade of experience in operations and administration at several HCA Healthcare facilities, Cameron’s leadership will be a tremendous asset as the hospital continues to grow and expand health care services to meet the needs of this growing community.”

Howard most recently served as COO at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. He previously held the same title at three hospitals in Texas: Methodist Hospital Northeast, Medical City Plano and St. David’s Surgical Hospital.

Howard, who holds an undergraduate degree from Baylor and an MHA from Trinity University, said he was “incredibly honored to step into the role of chief executive officer at Oviedo Medical Center.”

— ICYMI —

“Ron DeSantis defends $10M donation to charity as part of a ‘good deal’” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — DeSantis defended state officials who steered a $10 million donation to a charity created to fund Hope Florida, a key initiative of the First Lady, and attacked Republican lawmakers who have raised questions about the deal. During a Miami news conference, DeSantis said the settlement with the state’s largest Medicaid contractor was “100% appropriate.” “They negotiated a very good deal, and it served the state very, very well,” DeSantis said. The donation was to the Hope Florida Foundation, a state-created charity overseen by Casey DeSantis that pays churches and nonprofits to help move people off government services. The $10 million was included in a $67 million settlement with the health care giant Centene.

“NIH funding cuts threaten Tampa Bay’s research powerhouses” via Breanne Williams of the Tampa Bay Business Journal — Several of Tampa Bay’s most significant economic engines risk losing millions in funding for critical research. Tampa Bay institutions have received over $1.54 billion in National Institutes of Health grants in the past decade. That funding is now at risk, which could result in devastating budgetary shortfalls. Researchers are anxiously waiting to learn if their projects will continue to receive federal support. Cuts here could have an adverse ripple effect on the Tampa Bay economy. For example, in higher education, funding cuts could put more than just jobs at stake; it could significantly impact the reputation for research prowess that the University of South Florida has spent decades building. While other universities tout strong athletics departments or niche specializations, USF has long been renowned for its vigorous research arm.

“Legislature shuns DeSantis administration’s cancer proposal” via Christine Sexton of Florida Phoenix — The Florida Legislature is proposing changes to cancer funding — but not the changes the DeSantis administration has pushed. As the House and Senate begin work on the General Appropriations Act, the one must-pass bill of the year, neither chamber has agreed to an effort by the administration to redirect hundreds of millions in cancer funding away from four National Cancer Institute-designated Florida hospitals to other cancer providers. The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider legislation (SB 7028) on Tuesday that would maintain the existing funding formula for the four NCI-designated hospitals and modify the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative, an initiative promoted by First Lady Casey DeSantis and which the Legislature agreed to codify into law. The Collaborative is within the Department of Health. It is charged with developing a “holistic approach to the state’s efforts to fund cancer research, cancer facilities and treatments for cancer patients.”

“Second Senate panel OKs bill allowing wrongful death lawsuits for death of a fetus” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — A second Senate panel has approved a bill amid sharp debate from critics that would allow wrongful death lawsuits to be filed when an unborn child dies. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice approved SB 1284 with a vote of 5-3, a day after the House passed a similar bill. Some criticism of the legislation even came from the right, with one anti-abortion group arguing the measure doesn’t go far enough and should also apply to embryos created and stored outside a woman’s body. Meanwhile, the medical community and the Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued that the bill is dangerously overreaching as it is. The bill does clarify that the unborn child’s own mother would not be subject to those wrongful death lawsuits, nor would health care providers giving “lawful medical care.”

“What happens if FSU acquires TMH? UF Health CEO breaks down academic medical center model” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — It’s been three weeks since the city dropped the bomb that Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare could be on the market if selling the hospital is in the city’s best interest. After requesting a bylaws overhaul to accommodate the hospital’s expansive growth, TMH leaders and several Commissioners said they were “blindsided” by the prospect of a sale, sparking robust conversation on the matter and leading to the ultimate question: What’s going to happen to TMH? While hospital leaders are pushing to keep TMH’s destiny in their own hands, Florida State University wasted no time making its interest in buying the hospital known.

“Bill seeks to make state-run children’s insurance more ‘cost-efficient’” via Joe Mario Pedersen of Central Florida Public Media — Lawmakers are considering legislation that would streamline services for medically complex kids provided by a state program. But critics are concerned that the effort would harm families seeking care for their children with chronic conditions. The measure (HB 1085) would streamline administrative operations of the Children’s Medical Services program, a state- and federal-subsidized health insurance program for low-income families who have children with physical, mental or emotional disabilities. There were about 123,000 children enrolled in the insurance in 2024. Among several changes, the bill would transfer oversight from the Florida Department of Health to the Agency for Health Care Administration.

— Rules —

A Board of Pharmacy rule regarding applications and permitting for pharmacies, 64B16-28.100, goes into effect April 22. More here.

A Board of Osteopathic Medicine rule regarding osteopathic physician office surgery registration, inspection and accreditation, 64B15-14.0076, goes into effect April 15. More here.

A Board of Medicine rule regarding application for licensure and licensure requirements for anesthesiologist assistants, 64B8-31.003, goes into effect today. More here.

— Pencil it in —

April 15

8:30 a.m. — The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services meets. Room 412, Knott Building. View the agenda here.

10:30 a.m. — The House Health Care Budget Subcommittee meets. Room 102, House Office Building. View the agenda here.

1 p.m. — The House Health & Human Services Committee meets. Room 17, House Office Building. View the agenda here.

4:30 p.m. — The Senate will hold a floor Session.

April 16

8 a.m. — The House Budget Committee meets. Room 212, Knott Building.

10:30 a.m. — The House will hold a floor Session.

2 p.m. — The Senate will hold a floor Session.

Thursday

45th Day Rule

April 21

It’s Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida Hospital Days at the Capitol.

April 22

50th Day Rule

It’s Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida Hospital Days at the Capitol.

8 a.m. — The House Health & Human Services Committee meets. Room 17, House Office Building.

April 23

10 a.m. — The Senate will hold a floor Session.

10 a.m. — The House will hold a floor Session.

April 24

10 a.m. — The Senate will hold a floor Session.

10 a.m. — The House will hold a floor Session.

April 25

10 a.m. — The Senate will hold a floor Session.

10 a.m. — The House will hold a floor Session.

April 28

10 a.m. — The Senate will hold a floor Session.